Christ Presbyterian Church

click to enlarge

Phoenix Arts Project is flourishing as a community of homeless and low-income people who love to paint, draw, sculpt and support each other’s artistic growth. The art class, held two afternoons a week, is located in the basement of Christ Church Cathedral. The program provides on a drop-in basis free space, supplies, and instruction to homeless and low-income residents of Springfield. Phoenix Arts Project is an arm of Nehemiah Ministries Inc.

2009 was a great year for the Phoenix Arts Project, allowing us the opportunity to serve at least 40 individuals.  We greatly increased the exposure of the artists and their work with four additional shows through out the year and a display at a local business.  Artistic and spiritual influence broadened with a group visit to an exhibit and presentation of CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts) artist Sandra Bowden, and classes from a guest instructor, Catherine Gibbs.   Our 4^th Annual Phoenix Art Show attracted an estimated 175 to 200 guests, and greatly expanded our community collaborations with performances by Joe Sallins, the Sci-Tech drum Ensemble, Community poets and a community collaborative piece initiated by a KennedyMiddle School social studies class.  The year has fostered deepening relationship with the artists and presented opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus in practical ways.