PEACE HOUSE PEOPLE

PEACE HOUSE PEOPLE

The artist Mike Hazard will create picture poem portraits with many Peace House people. Together they will compose a mosaic that embodies the spirit of the Peace House Community. The art will be shared with the individuals portrayed, in Peace House, and with the community at large through many media. The portraits will be collected in a book of Peace House people.

PEACE HOUSE IS

Peace House is “the living room of Franklin Avenue.” 

The goal of Peace House Community is to offer a non-violent, welcoming and inclusive community for poor and marginalized women and men who are seeking companionship, safety from the streets, and personal affirmation. Peace House Community provides a platform for expressing beliefs, hurts, desperation, and hopes and fears too long hidden in so many bruised and broken hearts. Community members are affirmed through mutual sharing, respectful listening, and appreciation of each person’s value and worth. 

One hundred free meals are served daily. Photo by Mike Hazard

Peace House is its people. The art will be made by active collaboration between the artist and the subjects of each piece. Each piece will be created and reviewed in collaboration with the subject, then distributed in wider circles.

There is always a Scrabble game going in the Peace House library.

BIGGEST ISSUES

The two biggest issues at Peace House are the self-esteem of the guests and communication with the community at large.

We aim to cultivate compassion, collaboration, and community with our art work.

A POET WITH A CAMERA

The artist first learned about Peace House in 2004, when he was making a film with the McDonald Sisters, Four Sisters for Peace.  He went on to make several video shorts.

Hazard has continued to visit ever since. This background has created deep bonds with many people at Peace House from which profound art grows. People know Hazard, fondly called Media Mike, can be trusted. A poet with a camera, his passion is making beautiful media art with people.

COLLABORATORS

Development of the project has been a collaboration between Catherine Mamer (coordinator at Peace House), Kathleen Zuckerman (art facilitator), Marti Maltby (manager), and many of the people of Peace House.

 Frank made a sign in the library before he went out on the street.
Photo by Mike Hazard

DONATIONS

Your donation will be used to pay the artist, purchase a new camera and materials, and print pictures and books.  

Please note, this art project is independent of the place that is the subject of the picture stories. We encourage friends to support Peace House Community too. Here's the link to give directly to Peace House Community. https://www.givemn.org/organization/Peace-House-Community