THE HOME PROJECT

The Heartisan Foundation
Education and empowerment for personal and cultural transformation
📞 (541) 622-3933
🌐 www.heartisan.foundation

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Summary

This creative collaborative social engagement art project centers around humanizing the topic of houselessness and addresses wealth equity in Southern Oregon. We are looking at homelessness as a cultural phenomenon and exploring the concept of what it means to be at home in ourselves ––at peace and taken care of–– within a community.

 

Impact

The Home Project uplifts the stories and voices of individuals and families across Oregon —particularly those impacted by housing insecurity, immigration, financial hardship, or cultural marginalization. Participants are offered a stipend, a professional portrait photography session, and the opportunity to have their story artistically interpreted by local artists, culminating in a statewide exhibition and digital showcase.

 

Outline

This project is being modeled from a powerful initiative that took place in Santa Cruz, California last year called, Look Me In The Eyes. Our showcase at the Museum of Art History brought together a diverse group of attendees from all economic/sociopolitical backgrounds. Heartisan Foundation is building on this successful example of EDI-in-action and broadening the scope of community partnerships to include organizations such as Life Art, ACCESS, La Clinica, SOU Native Nations and The Oregon Writing Project, as well as friends and families of Lantinx farmers and Indigenous culture-bearers in our region.

 

Template

LOOK ME IN THE EYES

 

Goal

Overall, we are aiming to create a framework for synergy between art and activism, leveraging the emotional and visual impact of fine art photography to drive social change and enrich the lives of those depicted.

 

Vision

Our larger vision is to raise awareness about stigmatized communities in Southern Oregon, the impact of separatist mentality, and ultimately to recognize the integral nature and intrinsic value of all people.

 

Timeline

We are currently in the outreach and development phase (Spring–Summer 2025), with photography sessions planned for July–September 2025. Final exhibitions will launch in Spring–Summer 2026.

 

If you are interested in getting involved with The Home Project, or have further questions about any of the moving parts, please reach out to us directly at (541) 622-3933 or heartisan.foundation@gmail.com

 

With warmth and solidarity,

Abram R. Katz
Founder & President
The Heartisan Foundation
www.heartisan.foundation