Some Interesting Statistics

Here are some interesting yearly statistics from our local Salvation Army:

* 1948 Households provided with food and clothing vouchers

* 18,386 breakfasts served

* 3525 people getting assistance for Christmas

* 2036 kids receiving Christmas toys

* 900 households receiving Christmas meal vouchers

* 594 households enrolled in Low Income Self Help Program

* 1107 households recertified to continue receiving LISHP help

* 1454 Food orders distributed

This is just services in Harrisburg. Please help us help the Salvation Army by attending the opening of "Sweet Salvation 100 for $100" a silent art benefit with a $10,000.00 goal of new funds for the Salvation Army.

The auction opens on February 12 from 7-9 PM at Gallery Blu.

check our website at www.galleryblu.org

Another Piece to the Puzzle

In one of my early blogs I posed the question "What is Art". After hosting The Magnificent Minds Project, a showcase of the immense ingenuity and artistic abilities of individuals who have mental illness, I now have another answer to this question. In reading some of the biographies of the artists I was certainly humbled that I could show their work in the gallery. One comment from an artist, "I'm in permanent winter, can't remember spring: Trying to tie two ends together of an invisible string..." Another artist commented "This is the first time I've painted a picture - now I know I can teach myself" Another artist wrote, "I don't always make the right decisions even if I know the danger is there..... I've had to rise from the ruins so many times. Art therapy is a bridge and a haven". And another, "For years and years I ran from the ridiculous, the fear of recognizing and dealing with my mental illness......... that is why awareness and exposure of mental illness is so very important..............I encourage others to stop running from the ridiculous and love yourself today".

These are all such powerful words and thoughts. I will close with one more artist's writing, "The opposite of a lie is not only the truth. It is also an honest balance between the spectrum you can see, and the one you can't".

The Magnificent Minds Project

Gallery Blu, in partnership with Syngred Briddell, present The Magnificent Minds Project, a celebration of the immense creativity, ingenuity and riveting expressions that exists within artists who have mental illness.

The opening reception is January 9 from 2-4 PM. 100% of all art sales will benefit the artist.