Healing arts

One of Mary Nurrenbern’s dreams was to have a painting of hers hanging in a gallery. She was able to see her dream fulfilled this month at the Armory Center for the Arts exhibit “Artful Solutions: Pathways From Homelessness.” Her floral still life “Blooming at Last,” along with 50 other pieces created by people from Union Station Homeless Services, will be on display through the end of the month.

Nurrenbern, 42, was once an aspiring actress and executive assistant. She’s been temping for the last five years. “This program has helped me to see that I have some skills, that I can be an artist and may eventually do this full time,” said Nurrenbern, who has been homeless since July. Artful Solutions is composed of five pilot programs established in the summer by the L.A. County Arts Commission as a broader initiative to address the needs of the homeless population. “Having a safe place to express their feelings and thoughts in nonverbal manners is a self-affirming way to help these people resolve certain issues,” said Laura Zucker, executive director of the commission.

Other collaborations between art-based organizations and social service agencies include CalArts, which teamed with My Friend’s Place, a home for teenage runaways in Hollywood, for a creative writing program. Los Angeles Poverty Department partnered with Lamp Community, a skid row shelter for adults suffering from mental illness, for a series of workshops in which they created and performed their own stage production.

The 24-week Armory art class was held Sunday afternoons and covered the basics of drawing, painting, screen art and stenciling. “The simple task of just showing up to a workshop every week creates a routine and regularity in their lives,” said Zucker, “and maybe this motivation can instill a feeling of self-importance that makes them believe that they can hold a job or live in an apartment.”

The success of Nathaniel Ayers, the Juilliard-trained violinist discovered living on the streets of L.A., is the topic of conversation on the streets lately. His story led to a bestselling book by Times columnist Steve Lopez and a film, “The Soloist,” starring Jamie Foxx, scheduled for release in March. It has permeated imaginations and made a small dent in the emotional stigma of being homeless for some.

Works from “Artful Solutions” are for sale, with proceeds going directly to the participants.

-- Liesl Bradner