Come view this inspiring exhibit at the MATV Gallery! “Expressions on the Horizon” showcases works by participants in St. Francis House’s Expressive Therapy Program. The exhibit, which runs September 8 to October 19, features paintings and drawings, as well as three-dimensional pieces such as Saori-woven scarves. This popular program, which serves 25-30 people each weekday, recognizes the therapeutic value of creating art and displaying it in public, previously bringing artwork to such locations at Boston’s City Hall Plaza and South Station. 
Boston’s St. Francis House is a day shelter for poor and homeless men and women that provides such necessities as food and clothing, as well as medical care, mental health and substance abuse counseling, rehabilitative services, job skills training, and transitional housing. Based on the belief that creativity engenders self-awareness, personal growth, and autonomy, St. Francis House began the Expressive Therapy Program to allow guests personal expression through visual art, music, and writing. Art room participants may create in pastels, crayons, clay, acrylic paints, watercolors, tempera, and printmaking. The recently added Saori weaving, an improvisational Japanese hand weaving form, is guided by the principle that weaving is created spontaneously and that there are no “imperfections”, just elements of added interest.
All St. Francis House guests are welcome to work in the art room, and program participants range from trained artists to those trying for the first time. Program director Linda Dolph, who curated this exhibit, says that the new artists often find themselves amazed at their own abilities. She says that the safe and comfortable environment in the art room allows the artists to become fully engaged in their work. It also enables them to support each other as they interact and observe their own and each others’ progress. Dolph notes that this artistic expression is a necessary outlet that allows for both quiet reflection and the opportunity to channel strong emotions in a positive way. She believes the program is helpful to the guests, giving them confidence to take on other challenges and aiding those striving to end addictions.
Dolph came to St. Francis House after being an art teacher for 22 years, and she began working as an art therapist in 1985. Considering it an honor to work with the guests, she finds it inspiring “to watch as they overcome blocks to turn out beautiful work,” and to see how the process changes the artists while they work. 
The public is invited to attend the exhibit reception on Wednesday, October 3, from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Viewing hours are Monday–Thursday, 10am-9pm; Friday, 10am-6pm; and Saturday, 10am-2pm. All artwork is for sale. Handicapped accessible, Malden Access Television is located at 145 Pleasant St. in Malden Square. For information, visit www.matv.org/gallery or call 781-321-6400.
Interview & Article by Leslie A. Weston
Gallery Spotlight - "Expressions on the Horizon"
Gallery Spotlight is the companion video program for the MATV Gallery. Click "Play" to view this 20-min. program which tells the story of this exhibit.
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