Gimme Shelter: Art Sale to Help House Artists

Gimme Shelter is the title of a new art exhibit aimed at raising awareness for artists in need of a home. Organizers challenged artists to create their work on a house shaped piece of wood.

The opening reception for the exhibit, sponsored by the Belmar Arts Council, will take place on Sat., March 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Boatworks, 608 River Rd. in Belmar. There is no charge to attend and the public is welcome. Proceeds from sales of the art work will benefit both the and the Art Council’s Housing Help Project, a new initiative which will help artists with housing issues.

“This exhibit will raise awareness of the housing crisis many local residents face in finding safe, affordable housing,” says Tim McCorry, chairman of the Belmar Arts Council and also Director of Capital Projects and Construction for the Affordable Housing Alliance, an Eatontown-based non-profit organization that constructs and sells affordable housing and provides a wide range of affordable housing related services.

More than 100 artists from across New Jersey have submitted art work, according to McCorry. Additionally, the Belmar Arts Council has worked with teachers in several schools whose students, ages 5 to 18, will also be submitting art.

All art work is based on a house-shaped piece of plywood. The panel serves as the inspiration and starting point for artists, who are then invited to use their creative imagination and artistic medium to transform this “canvas” into art.

Funding for Gimmie Shelter has been provided by a generous grant from Kathy Ellis and Ken Pringle. The Gimmie Shelter art exhibit will remain on display at the Boatworks through March 23, Wednesdays through Saturdays between 1 and 5 p.m.

For more information, visit www.belmararts.org or call 732-749-3360.

About the Belmar Arts Council

The Belmar Arts Council (BAC) is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to making the Belmar area a better place to live, work and play through the arts. The BAC sponsors exhibits, performances, classes, and public arts projects. Our gallery and classroom space at the Boatworks provide a creative environment for the benefit of artists, residents and visitors of all ages. The programs of the Belmar Arts Council are funded by dues, donations, grants and sponsorships. BAC’s events are made possible in part by the Belmar Tourism Commission, the NJ Cultural Trust, OceanFirst Foundation, and Monmouth County Arts Council through funding from the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders, through the County Historical Commission, and the New Jersey Stats Council on the Arts/Department of State a Partner Agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.

About the Affordable Housing Alliance

The Affordable Housing Alliance, founded in 1971, is a certified non-profit housing counseling agency committed to developing affordable housing and providing related housing services such as new home buyer education, financial literacy education, foreclosure counseling, housing rehabilitation, rental assistance, and the development and management of affordable rental units. The Affordable Housing Alliance currently offers three types of assistance with overdue utility bills: NJShares, LIHEAP and the new statewide program, TRUE. The Affordable Housing Alliance is a certified Administrative Agent, helping NJ’s municipalities plan and execute their affordable housing obligations. The Affordable Housing Alliance is committed to outreach and advocacy on issues surrounding affordable housing and have been a strong proponent of affordable housing policy.  For more information on the Affordable Housing Alliance, visit www.housingall.org or call 732-389-2958. The Affordable Housing Alliance, based in Eatontown, New Jersey, is a 501 (C) (3) organization.