GSW ‘Homework’ project, fundraiser to aid homeless

AMERICUS — The Huss Foundation’s Artists’ Gallery will present “Homework,” an art exhibit intended to raise money for the homeless.

The exhibit will run from Tuesday until May 10 with a reception and silent auction on Friday from 5-8 p.m.

This event will mark the third iteration of “Homework” and corresponds with May’s First Friday theme, “May’d in Americus.”

The Georgia Southwestern State University Department of Visual Arts initiated the project in 2016 as a collaboration with the Americus Sumter County Transitional Housing Ministries and the local Fuller Center for Housing affiliate as a way to strategically put theory into action. The project asks students, faculty and alumni to work collectively and individually and use their skills in a way that would benefit a family in need, specifically the need for those preparing to move from homelessness to their own homes. As a result, “Homework” includes a range of objects every family needs when starting a new home, including dinnerware, glassware and furniture pieces.

In the past, all of these objects have fit into a singular package that was donated to the Transitional Housing committee and the Fuller Center for Housing to be given to a family the agencies are serving.

This year, the objects made for “Homework” will be sold and auctioned off to raise money for that family to cover the remaining costs to finish the home, including appliances, electrical work and plumbing. In addition to works made specifically for “Homework” by GSW, several glass artists who recently visited Americus for the Hot Glass Craft Beer festival donated works for the auction. The items range from functional glass bowls to sculptures of flowers, cats and pumpkins.

All items will be available for sale at that time once the exhibit opens on Tuesday. Any works not purchased by Friday will be set up for auction. The silent auction will be held during the opening reception on Friday. All sold and auctioned work will remain on exhibit until May 10, when the exhibition will end. The works will be available for pick-up starting May 11.

The Huss Foundation’s Artists’ Gallery is located at 124 W Lamar St., Suite C, and is open to the public. The gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Additionally, every first Friday, the gallery is open and the Huss Foundation provides free drinks and hot dogs to all guests. For additional information about the gallery and exhibitions, contact Sunni Zemblowski at [email protected].

Special Photo: Houston Scott and Courtney Barberich