‘Art needs a home’

Homeless bench seeks shelter

By SANDY LONG

HONESDALE, PA — When Bill Kreighton created his art bench depicting the issue of homelessness, he never envisioned that the artwork itself would end up without a home. But that’s what transpired when the appearance of the bench began to stir negative responses from community members who were bothered by its presence.

The bench contains a human form lying under sheets of newsprint. Kreighton used his son’s old clothing to create the man’s form and purposefully selected news pages that cite the threat of recession.

Kreighton is no stranger to the threat of homelessness, having nearly suffered a shutdown of his electricity earlier this year as he struggled to make ends meet.

“To be an artist in our society is a gamble,” said Tamara Murray, director of the Wayne County Arts Alliance, which sponsors the program. “Many artists lack health insurance and live very close to the economic edge.”

Currently a resident of Seeleyville, Kreighton hails from Brooklyn, where evidence of homelessness is everywhere. “People frozen to death in garages—I’ve seen that,” said Kreighton. He points out that rural homelessness is more hidden, and this can leave the impression that it doesn’t exist in small communities like Honesdale and Hawley. Kreighton recently encountered a woman in a Honesdale parking lot holding a sign declaring that she was homeless and in need of assistance. “It doesn’t help to ignore it. It’s not going to go away,” he said.

The Bench Mark project is a fundraiser for the non-profit arts organization and regional artists have created 53 benches in support of the effort. “The benches range from high aesthetic design to whimsical expressions to art deco,” said Murray.

Every year, a few projects are designed as concept art, which has occasionally been challenged in the past, as when an artist caricatured President Bush as the puppet Pinocchio, whose lying caused his nose to grow. Another concept bench created by artist Dan Brinkerhoff this year, depicting a natural organic scene impacted by garbage underneath the bench, had its trashy element removed before being displayed.

These reactions concern Murray, who asserted that art should be a vehicle to examine such societal challenges. “Art is about ideas. If we can’t communicate about issues through our art, we are in trouble,” she said.

“This is art. Homelessness is real,” points out Murray, who formerly worked in the mental health field. “With a recession hitting, homelessness is closer than ever for many Americans. With the economy on the skids, whole families are losing their homes.”

Jeff Hiller, owner of the Trackside Grill on Main Street in Honesdale, has fully embraced the concept art bench that his business has sponsored. “I think it’s important to get these messages out,” he said.

High school student Tom Gilligan created the bench that sits in front of the railroad-themed restaurant in memory of Lisa A. Cronin, a former waitress at the Trackside Grill whose life ended through an act of domestic violence perpetrated by her husband. The bench is intended to draw attention to the fact that the darkness of domestic violence is present in small communities and that help is available through the Victims Intervention Program. (A confidential 24-hour hotline is maintained at 570/253-4401 or 800/698-4VIP).

The benches will be on display throughout the summer and the event will conclude with a live auction on August 16 at 6:00 p.m. at Honesdale High School. The Wayne County Arts Alliance promotes the arts and their community benefits through a variety of events such as literary arts evenings, open studio tours and art exhibits. Visit www.waynecountyartsalliance.org for more information.

As for Kreighton’s homeless bench, Murray has nicknamed the sleeping figure “Art,” and reminds the community that “Art needs a home.” She adds, “We’re looking for a business that is responsive to the concept.” Bench sponsorship is $150. Proceeds benefit the non-profit arts organization. Contact Murray at 570/253-6850.

Visit http://www.endhomelessness.org/section/policy/focusareas/rural for an extensive list of resources related to rural homelessness. The Wayne County Housing Authority can be reached at 570/488-6069.