EXHIBITION “ARTE EN EL ALBERGUE DE CRISTO POBRE” OPENS IN PLAZA DEL CARIBE
An opportunity for change through art for the homeless.
Ponce, PR– Plaza Del Caribe, in collaboration with the Mano Amiga Program of the Plaza Del Caribe Foundation, is pleased to present the inauguration of the exhibition “Arte en el Albergue Cristo Pobre,” carried out under the leadership of the Ponce Art Museum. People will be able to enjoy the exhibition in the old La Defensa premises, on the first level of the shopping center with a representative sample of works made by the homeless people who serve the Shelter, and which includes genres such as portrait, landscape and other media. The exhibition is open to the public until August 31.
“Arte en el Albergue Cristo Pobre” is a community impact project led by the Ponce Art Museum since 2018, aimed at homeless people who participate in the programs of the Cristo Pobre Shelter, located in Ponce. This project has been possible thanks to the support of the Mano Amiga Program of the Plaza Del Caribe Foundation.
“This project is a story of perseverance and creativity, not only because of the challenges it faced along the way and how it was adapted to complete it, but also because it shows the commitment of the participants and instructors to express with their hands so many emotions and experiences lived,” said Jaime Fonalledas Rubert, President of the Plaza Del Caribe Foundation, sponsor of the Mano Amiga program. “It fills me with pride to see the fruit of their talent and commitment and I congratulate the Museum and the Cristo Pobre Shelter for this great achievement. Thank you for allowing us to be your helping hand in this project,” he finished.
The main objective of “Arte en el Albergue Cristo Pobre” is to provide homeless people with a unique opportunity to experience art and creativity through weekly workshops given by artists and art teachers from the southern region of Puerto Rico. Since its inception in 2018, the project has positively impacted 404 homeless people, who have participated in 113 art workshops. This experience has been transformative for many of the participants, who had never had the opportunity to take art workshops or participate in similar experiences.
“This alliance that we have established is inserted in the psychotherapeutic services that we provide to the homeless population in the Center. This has allowed us to discover qualities that we can develop in this population, at the same time that we occupy their time in cultural activities, especially painting, and that their time on the street can be used in something productive,” said Juan de Dios Videau, director of the Cristo Pobre Shelter.
This year, 168 homeless people had the opportunity to participate in 48 weekly art workshops, which are inspired by works from the Ponce Art Museum itself. These workshops provide materials and a nutritious snack, allowing participants to immerse themselves in a creative and nurturing environment.
“Arte en el Albergue Cristo Pobre” is a very beautiful community project that makes us happy and fills us with pride as an institution. It is consistent with the commitment and social responsibility of the Museo de Arte de Ponce. This year, 168 homeless people living in extreme poverty in the southern area of the Island participated in significant experiences through art, to attend to the well-being and mental health of this already vulnerable group. Thanks to the team of the Museum and the Cristo Pobre Hostel, as well as the support of the Mano Amiga Program of the Plaza Del Caribe Foundation, for the continuous support of the project,” said Sofía Cánepa, project director and head of Educational Programs and Empowerment of the Communities of the Ponce Art Museum.
Recent studies have shown that art exposure and creative experience have significant benefits for the homeless, including stress reduction, mental health and trauma recovery, self-expression and self-discovery, increased self-confidence themselves, the creation of support networks and social connections, community integration and greater resilience.
The Cristo Pobre Shelter, founded in 1997, offers essential services to homeless people, such as breakfast, lunch, psycho-social assistance, showers, clothing and temporary shelter. The collaboration between the Museo de Arte de Ponce, the Plaza Del Caribe Foundation and the Albergue Cristo Pobre is an outstanding example of social commitment and community work.
For more information about the exhibition “Arte en el Albergue Cristo Pobre,” you can contact the Customer Service Center at 787-259-8989 or visit the official website of the shopping center at plazadelcaribe.com or on social networks.
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