Meet the Artists from
hospitality house’s community arts program
Portrait photos by Anastasiia Sapon Pictured Above: Community Artist Charles Blackwell
“Many people are in a hurry— if we just spend time— looking at buildings, places, whatever you see, spend time a little longer. You start to see beauty in it, little by little. Now we start to see life as beautiful; beauty everywhere, if you want to see it. So, I think that's what Tenderloin's about.”
Tan Sirinumas, Community Artist
Photos by Ben Saluti
“I always like to help people in my community. I believe art is a tool to use as therapy for people who suffer of mental disabilities and substance abuse problems. It helps them to relax. It's like a sense of meditation.”
Joseph Sierra, Community Artist
“I think [art] really helps me escape into this other place that's really comforting to me away from all the stress of life and what you're faced with in reality. But, when I paint I feel like I'm in this kind of different very warm and loving place or something. I feel really at peace when I'm painting and I forget about everything. I really
enjoy that.
”
Cameron Dempster, Community Artist
“[Hospitality House’s Community Arts Program] has been an oasis for me. It really did save my life early on. And it's continued to live up to the expectations when I first pressed my nose on the window, you know?
It's amazing really, that there's a place that offers so much for no money, where you can feel like you're part of a family. And make art. I can't think of anything better, really..."
Anna Morrow, Community Artist
“Well, they're like my family cause I have nobody right? [This community] has given me so much support. It's a safe place. [The people who run it] really really work hard and they sacrifice and they're dedicated. And then the people that I met here are just amazing, it's awesome to learn about who
they are.”
Lisa Maria Barbas, Community Artist
“So about two years ago when I moved here, it was a pretty life changing experience. Before I had a background in video editing, so I was a TV editor in New York City. A lot of things happened to me. So I moved here. And I live in The Tenderloin. It's a huge change. And I think without the CAP program I wouldn't have been able to anchor myself to something. And this art really helped me express myself and learn about what I love. What I'm passionate about.”
Ling Sherri Lu, Community Artist