I read a really interesting article
about the nonprofit Weingart Center that helps provide for homeless people in
Los Angeles. They partnered with the creative agency, David &Goliath, to
increase awareness of the need for donations in order to provide people with
counseling, jobs and housing. These David & Goliath artists sketched
outlines of typical bedrooms and furniture around homeless people on the streets to show that
with donations these possibilities of providing people with homes could become
a reality. I love this campaign and how it shows exactly what their goals are.
They also made it extremely easy for people walking by to donate. Small signs
explain how to donate simply by sending a text. It is so easy to pass by people
on the streets and think maybe next time I will remember to bring some
money/food/etc. to give to that person, but this campaign brings the problem
front and center and presents a simple solution for donating. Seeing this has
really changed my perspective on what can be changed and what is possible.
John Stevens, a current
student in the Set & Exhibit Design Bachelor of Science program at The Art
Institute of California – Hollywood, played a key role in the campaign. In an
interview he said, “We had several people who were walking down the street
that stopped to look at each of the scenes and catch a different perspective on
homelessness. Some of the individuals walking down the street even sent texts
to donate money. It's an incredible feeling to be able to witness your own art
making an impact.”
Check out the link to see some of the artwork.
