Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams and special guests are hosting a free public screening of Signs of Humanity and a We are All Homeless art exhibition on September 28, 2017, at Arlington Music Hall.
Texas artist/filmmaker and Southern Methodist University professor Willie Baronet will display signs Baronet bought from the homeless when he traveled across the country to 24 U.S. cities. Baronet's funded his project through an Indiegogo campaign.
The idea to have a free public screening of the film came from a few of Baronet closest friends in Arlington, Councilwoman Victoria Farrar-Myers and Robyn Barrere, who thought it would be great to share the film with others in Tarrant County. The idea caught on fire after the pair discuss how the community can come together to help out and how the Arlington kindness initiative can play a role. The purpose of the public screening and Q&A with Baronet is to raise awareness about homelessness and provide information to the public, and resources to people who want to help.
Baronet will begin installation on September 25, 2017, and the We are All Homeless art exhibition will be display during the free public screening of Signs of Humanity at 7:30 p.m. on September 28, 2017. A documentary film that explores the inter-related themes of home, homelessness, compassion and humanity.
"I've been purchasing homeless signs for more than 20 years, and seeing the impact this project has had on many people across the country is incredible, "said Baronet. "One of my main goals for this art exhibition is to bring the issue of homelessness to light in a unique manner to hopefully change people's hearts and minds on how they view the homeless."
After the screening of Signs of Humanity, Baronet and special guests will take to the stage to help answer questions, follow by a call to action on how the community can help. Donations will be collected for the Arlington Life Shelter and We are All Homeless.
ABOUT WE ARE ALL HOMELESS PROJECT
For years, Willie Baronet was uncomfortable when he saw a homeless person on the street with a sign asking for money; so he often avoided looking at them. That all changed when he started buying their signs in 1993. Baronet, a Southern Methodist University (SMU) advertising professor and Dallas artist, has been buying and collecting signs made by homeless people for more than 20 years. He uses his purchases to create innovative art exhibits and performances highlighting the critical issue of homelessness and concept of home - the WE ARE ALL HOMELESS project. The project aims to raise awareness about the critical issue of homelessness and change preconceived ideas many of us have about the homeless and their situations.
Arlington Music Hall, Arlington Human Service Providers
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