Provoke

Provoke radio is a social justice focused podcast and radio broadcast out of Washington D.C. with a national listenership. Provoke featured Art Works 945 founder Lawrence Cann. The interview describes Art Work 945 and the garden and national network of street soccer teams that the Art Works 945 program spawned. Here is the text intro from Provoke:

The world is not lacking for kind-hearted people who want to do their part to ease someone’s pain, right wrongs and make the world a better place. Bring a worthy cause to their attention and their first thought is always, “Gee, I’d like to help.” And yet… ask anyone what the biggest stumbling block is to turning that desire into action and 9 out of 10 will say, ”Getting started.” That’s why one thing that never ceases to amaze us here at Provoke is the sheer resourcefulness of those who do turn their desire into action; living lives of service to others. And we don’t just mean the resources they find outside themselves - like funding to turn an idea into a reality or the manpower to keep it going. We’re talking about inner resources. What so many people who we’ve featured over the years have in common is the ability to – as the Buddhists say – “start where they are.” They don’t see the stumbling blocks nor do they wonder, “But what difference can this make?” To steal a phrase from corporate America…they ‘Just Do It.’ And they do make a difference and they do change lives and they do… transform the world. So today, we bring you another story of someone who knows how to get things started. He is Lawrence Cann, a remarkable young man who has so many interests, well, we hardly knew where to start! Lawrence took his love for both art and athletics and put them at the service of the down and out with whom he works. He is the Director of Community Works at the Urban Ministry Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, an inter-faith, community based center offering service and support to the homeless. He is also the President of Street Soccer USA, a national organization dedicated to bringing awareness to the plight of the homeless through, yes, soccer. But that’s only half the story! What have art, soccer and the homeless got to do with each other? Tune in and find out! Accompanying Lawrence’s story are the compelling and inspiring self-told stories of two of Lawrence’s formerly homeless soccer stars, Tim and Hoover. Available 8/26/08.

Many thanks to producer Claire Hartman and long time Provoke fan and art enthusiast, Lauren Cranford.

Are the Homeless Who You Think They Are?

Check out the pics from our new show at Gallery 3 on The Green in Uptown.
The title of the show is "Charlotte from Another Angle, Are the Homeless Who You Think They Are?"

Everyone remarked that this was a much more engaging show than the last exhibit in the gallery. When they found out our artists were using Art as a strategy for overcoming homelessness, that they were homeless themselves, they were shocked.

Enjoy the pics, show is up until Sept 12.