The new HCH mural at 421 Fallsway declares that "everyone deserves to go home."
New Mural Delivers Message that Homelessness is Not Permanent
BALTIMORE: A large and vibrant new mural is visible in downtown Baltimore following installation of 135 painted panels on the south-facing wall of the Health Care for the Homeless building at 421 Fallsway. The year-long mural creation process – guided by local artist Jay Wolf Schlossberg-Cohen – involved hundreds of community volunteers, including persons experiencing homelessness. The public is invited to a “Mural Unveiling Party” on Sunday, September 12, at 11:00 a.m.
Planning for the largest “parachute cloth” mural in Baltimore began during a series of community workshops last summer. Used more commonly in Philadelphia, the “parachute cloth” technique – involving panels of primed and painted cotton fabric – maximizes opportunities for participation. More than 350 volunteers helped to conceptualize, design, and paint a series of images reflecting the work and mission of Health Care for the Homeless. Volunteers included HCH staff, clients, Board members, and supporters; students from the Roland Park Country School; members of the Lauraville Community, and employees of Bank of America and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. Students from Morgan State and the Maryland Institute College of Art helped Mr. Schlossberg-Cohen install each 4’ x 5’ panel during a one-week period.
“Art is a language capable of facilitating dialogue across boundaries of race, class, and housing status,” said Jeff Singer, President & CEO of Health Care for the Homeless. “We know our engaging new mural will facilitate the community conversations necessary to make homelessness increasingly rare and brief.”
The September 12 event (directly across Fallsway from the Baltimore Farmer’s Market) features free ice cream, balloons and face painting for children, tours of the HCH clinic, and the opportunity to speak with the artists. For more information or to RSVP, visit mural.hchmd.org.
Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) provides health-related services, education, and advocacy to reduce the incidence and burdens of homelessness. The 25-year-old not-for-profit organization delivers a comprehensive array of services at clinic sites in Baltimore City, Frederick, and in Montgomery, Harford, and Baltimore Counties. HCH moved into its Baltimore-based clinic and headquarters early this year. For more information, contact Kevin Lindamood at 410-916-6364 or klindamood@hchmd.org.
