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The New York Historical Society (NYHS) is currently displaying portraits of BronxWorks participants as part of their Art For Change: The Artist & Homeless Collaborative exhibit, running now through April 3, 2022.
The Artist & Homeless Collaborative was a public art project founded in 1990 by artist Hope Sandrow. The exhibit is filled with historical images and art projects from homeless shelters across New York. Many of the art projects were done collaboratively with artists outside the shelter system.
Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence (left), and Peter J., BronxWorks Participant and Featured Artist (right), look at Peter’s video portrait.
BronxWorks became involved with the exhibit when Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence and Recreation Coordinator, was approached by the curator for the exhibit, Rebecca Klaussen. “Rebecca’s contacts at the Coalition for the Homeless had seen the portrait drawings and photographs hanging on the walls of the BronxWorks Living Room and Pyramid Safe Havens,” he said, “and they recommended me for the exhibit when she asked them if they knew of any artists collaborating with people in the New York City shelters.”
Jose G., BronxWorks Participant, (left) and Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence, (right) work together on Jose’s portrait. (Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Benoit)
Francis came to BronxWorks in 2006, being awarded a small art workshop grant. “Once a week, on Monday nights, I organized projects like drawing workshops, poetry groups, movie clubs, and jewelry making at the Safe Haven shelters,” he said of his beginnings at the agency. Eventually, in 2016, Noel Concepcion, BronxWorks Department Director of Adult Homeless Services, offered Francis a contract to develop more projects at the shelters. Through these activities, Francis worked with participants to create “interdependent” portraits of some of the shelter residents.
Doing the interdependent portraits elevates the participants’ visibility, agency, dignity, and social support. Each portrait reveals that we share the power of representation.”
-Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence and Recreation Coordinator
Francis works directly with shelter residents to create these portraits. “We have conversations throughout the process,” he said, “sometimes inviting onlookers to join in, which fortifies the social scaffolding and supports our clients’ emancipatory potential to represent themselves as they want to be seen and gain recognition in their community.”
(L-R) Peter J., BronxWorks Participant and Featured Artist; Rebecca Klassen, Art for Change Exhibit Curator, New York Historical Society Museum; Margaret K. Hofer, Vice President and Director, New York Historical Society Museum; Annie W., BronxWorks Participant and Featured Artist; Juan Rivera, Director of BronxWorks Homeless Outreach Team; Noel Concepcion, BronxWorks Department Director, Adult Homeless Services; Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence and Recreation Coordinator; Jorge T., BronxWorks Participant and Featured Artist.
Francis joined three of the artists at the exhibit to talk with them as well as NYHS and BronxWorks staff about the portraits.
Peter J. poses with his video portrait, Shift to Permanent Housing, on display at the New York Historical Society.
Peter J.’s “video portrait”, Shift to Permanent Housing, was recorded on his last day at the BronxWorks Safe Haven in 2019. “The film captures our conversation and our hands drawing together on paper,” Francis said. “This piece expands the form of portraiture into video and reveals our teamwork and shared expectations.” Peter was full of excitement at the exhibit, marveling at seeing his name in a museum. “That’s me!” he exclaimed many times, pointing out his hands to the people there. “This is great! I’m having a lot of fun. It’s amazing to me, at 56 years old, it’s extraordinary! I’m honored. I can’t believe it.”
Annie W. poses with her portrait, Annie, Black Woman For President, on display at the New York Historical Society.
Annie W.’s portrait, titled Annie, Black Woman For President, is striking, done in colored pencil. “A Black woman ought to run for president,” she said. Upon seeing her portrait on display in a museum, she said, “I cried. I was so elated. I sent pictures to everyone: my children, my grandchildren. We are ordinary people, going through some trying times, and doing work like this helps us escape out of the valley of fatigue.”
Jorge T. poses with his portrait, Salsa (top right), on display at the New York Historical Society.
Jorge T.’s portrait, Salsa, shows him along with his instrument of choice, the conga drum. For Jorge, this exhibit is not his first: “When I was in fourth grade, there was a drawing competition to draw a monster. I said to myself, ‘I can do that!’ I got a brush, got different colors, and it came out nice and I got first place! This is the second time I’m in a museum.” Still, he said, “I’m impressed. This is a big deal for me.”
Annie W., BronxWorks Participant and Featured Artist (left), talks to Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence (right) about their time working together.
Francis shared in everyone’s enthusiasm, saying, “To emphasize our shared humanity, and to do so on as large a stage as the New York Historical Society Museum, is imperative at a time when homelessness and the related stigma continues to prevail.”
As of today, Annie, Jorge, and Peter all have moved out of the shelters and into permanent housing, an incredible accomplishment. “For me, every time a client transitions to permanent housing is a moment of joy,” Francis said. “Witnessing Annie, Jorge, and Peter’s transitions was brilliant. I feel honored to have been even a small part of building community with these artists.”
The New York Historical Society (NYHS) is currently displaying portraits of BronxWorks participants as part of their Art For Change: The Artist & Homeless Collaborative exhibit, running now through April 3, 2022.
The Artist & Homeless Collaborative was a public art project founded in 1990 by artist Hope Sandrow. The exhibit is filled with historical images and art projects from homeless shelters across New York. Many of the art projects were done collaboratively with artists outside the shelter system.
Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence (left), and Peter J., BronxWorks Participant and Featured Artist (right), look at Peter’s video portrait.
BronxWorks became involved with the exhibit when Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence and Recreation Coordinator, was approached by the curator for the exhibit, Rebecca Klaussen. “Rebecca’s contacts at the Coalition for the Homeless had seen the portrait drawings and photographs hanging on the walls of the BronxWorks Living Room and Pyramid Safe Havens,” he said, “and they recommended me for the exhibit when she asked them if they knew of any artists collaborating with people in the New York City shelters.”
Jose G., BronxWorks Participant, (left) and Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence, (right) work together on Jose’s portrait. (Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Benoit)
Francis came to BronxWorks in 2006, being awarded a small art workshop grant. “Once a week, on Monday nights, I organized projects like drawing workshops, poetry groups, movie clubs, and jewelry making at the Safe Haven shelters,” he said of his beginnings at the agency. Eventually, in 2016, Noel Concepcion, BronxWorks Department Director of Adult Homeless Services, offered Francis a contract to develop more projects at the shelters. Through these activities, Francis worked with participants to create “interdependent” portraits of some of the shelter residents.
Doing the interdependent portraits elevates the participants’ visibility, agency, dignity, and social support. Each portrait reveals that we share the power of representation.”
-Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence and Recreation Coordinator
Francis works directly with shelter residents to create these portraits. “We have conversations throughout the process,” he said, “sometimes inviting onlookers to join in, which fortifies the social scaffolding and supports our clients’ emancipatory potential to represent themselves as they want to be seen and gain recognition in their community.”
(L-R) Peter J., BronxWorks Participant and Featured Artist; Rebecca Klassen, Art for Change Exhibit Curator, New York Historical Society Museum; Margaret K. Hofer, Vice President and Director, New York Historical Society Museum; Annie W., BronxWorks Participant and Featured Artist; Juan Rivera, Director of BronxWorks Homeless Outreach Team; Noel Concepcion, BronxWorks Department Director, Adult Homeless Services; Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence and Recreation Coordinator; Jorge T., BronxWorks Participant and Featured Artist.
Francis joined three of the artists at the exhibit to talk with them as well as NYHS and BronxWorks staff about the portraits.
Peter J. poses with his video portrait, Shift to Permanent Housing, on display at the New York Historical Society.
Peter J.’s “video portrait”, Shift to Permanent Housing, was recorded on his last day at the BronxWorks Safe Haven in 2019. “The film captures our conversation and our hands drawing together on paper,” Francis said. “This piece expands the form of portraiture into video and reveals our teamwork and shared expectations.” Peter was full of excitement at the exhibit, marveling at seeing his name in a museum. “That’s me!” he exclaimed many times, pointing out his hands to the people there. “This is great! I’m having a lot of fun. It’s amazing to me, at 56 years old, it’s extraordinary! I’m honored. I can’t believe it.”
Annie W. poses with her portrait, Annie, Black Woman For President, on display at the New York Historical Society.
Annie W.’s portrait, titled Annie, Black Woman For President, is striking, done in colored pencil. “A Black woman ought to run for president,” she said. Upon seeing her portrait on display in a museum, she said, “I cried. I was so elated. I sent pictures to everyone: my children, my grandchildren. We are ordinary people, going through some trying times, and doing work like this helps us escape out of the valley of fatigue.”
Jorge T. poses with his portrait, Salsa (top right), on display at the New York Historical Society.
Jorge T.’s portrait, Salsa, shows him along with his instrument of choice, the conga drum. For Jorge, this exhibit is not his first: “When I was in fourth grade, there was a drawing competition to draw a monster. I said to myself, ‘I can do that!’ I got a brush, got different colors, and it came out nice and I got first place! This is the second time I’m in a museum.” Still, he said, “I’m impressed. This is a big deal for me.”
Annie W., BronxWorks Participant and Featured Artist (left), talks to Francis Palazzolo, BronxWorks Artist-in-Residence (right) about their time working together.
Francis shared in everyone’s enthusiasm, saying, “To emphasize our shared humanity, and to do so on as large a stage as the New York Historical Society Museum, is imperative at a time when homelessness and the related stigma continues to prevail.”
As of today, Annie, Jorge, and Peter all have moved out of the shelters and into permanent housing, an incredible accomplishment. “For me, every time a client transitions to permanent housing is a moment of joy,” Francis said. “Witnessing Annie, Jorge, and Peter’s transitions was brilliant. I feel honored to have been even a small part of building community with these artists.”
Note: The vaccine clinic at BronxWorks ended as of June 11.
SOMOS Community Care is offering a COVID-19 vaccine/booster clinic at the BronxWorks Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center at 1130 Grand Concourse. The clinic is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Subscribe to BronxWorks social media for updates on closings due to weather or holidays.
The vaccine is the most effective way to protect you and your family from serious illness due to the COVID-19 virus.
Note: The vaccine clinic at BronxWorks ended as of June 11.
SOMOS Community Care is offering a COVID-19 vaccine/booster clinic at the BronxWorks Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center at 1130 Grand Concourse. The clinic is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Subscribe to BronxWorks social media for updates on closings due to weather or holidays.
Spend a few moments with Shauna Barry and you may begin to think she was tailor-made for this field of work. As we sit down for our interview, Shauna says, “I’m so glad we got to do this. I love talking about work.” She says it with no hint of irony. Shauna is the embodiment of doing whatever it takes to give the clients in her programs the best chance at a stable life.
Shauna grew up in Connecticut. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Fordham University, double majoring in Women’s Studies and Peace and Justice Studies. After graduating, she completed a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, where she worked in a homeless shelter in North Carolina. She came to New York in 2009 and joined the BronxWorks Homeless Outreach Team as a Case Manager. In 2013, Shauna enrolled at Hunter College for her Master’s in Social Work. She completed her internship at Morris Senior Center through the BronxWorks One Year Residency (OYR) program and then spent two years as the Clinical Coordinator at The Brook in order to receive her clinical license. She was promoted to Program Director of the Care Coordination Program and then helped open the Cooper Gardens Supportive Housing Program in 2019. Most recently, Shauna opened her second supportive housing program and is now the Program Director of Park Haven.
We want people to see themselves as valued and heard and able to occupy their own space.”
Shauna explains that the key challenge is, “re-adjusting people’s narrative that everything doesn’t go well for them – showing them that things can get better, that you can do better, things aren’t always your fault, the world can treat you better.” A particularly difficult component of supportive housing is helping people work through trauma. Shauna relies on humor to help her, her team, and her residents work through these tough moments.
“I want to normalize that we are all doing our best.”
Outside of work, Shauna can be found reading, or watching the Real Housewives, or walking her dog, Peter, whom she adopted after fostering him for some time. She has fostered six dogs, some for months at a time, and some as repeated fosters, through the Heavenly Angel Animal Rescue.
Spend a few moments with Shauna Barry and you may begin to think she was tailor-made for this field of work. As we sit down for our interview, Shauna says, “I’m so glad we got to do this. I love talking about work.” She says it with no hint of irony. Shauna is the embodiment of doing whatever it takes to give the clients in her programs the best chance at a stable life.
Shauna grew up in Connecticut. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree at Fordham University, double majoring in Women’s Studies and Peace and Justice Studies. After graduating, she completed a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, where she worked in a homeless shelter in North Carolina. She came to New York in 2009 and joined the BronxWorks Homeless Outreach Team as a Case Manager. In 2013, Shauna enrolled at Hunter College for her Master’s in Social Work. She completed her internship at Morris Senior Center through the BronxWorks One Year Residency (OYR) program and then spent two years as the Clinical Coordinator at The Brook in order to receive her clinical license. She was promoted to Program Director of the Care Coordination Program and then helped open the Cooper Gardens Supportive Housing Program in 2019. Most recently, Shauna opened her second supportive housing program and is now the Program Director of Park Haven.
We want people to see themselves as valued and heard and able to occupy their own space.”
Shauna explains that the key challenge is, “re-adjusting people’s narrative that everything doesn’t go well for them – showing them that things can get better, that you can do better, things aren’t always your fault, the world can treat you better.” A particularly difficult component of supportive housing is helping people work through trauma. Shauna relies on humor to help her, her team, and her residents work through these tough moments.
“I want to normalize that we are all doing our best.”
Outside of work, Shauna can be found reading, or watching the Real Housewives, or walking her dog, Peter, whom she adopted after fostering him for some time. She has fostered six dogs, some for months at a time, and some as repeated fosters, through the Heavenly Angel Animal Rescue.
Maria P. and her family have found their permanent home.
Maria is a mother of five. In 2019, she and three of her children were living in a shelter when she became eligible for a supportive housing apartment.
Maria interviewed with Katie Moquete, Assistant Program Director, and was offered a two-bedroom permanent supportive housing unit. “It’s not easy for people with children in the shelter,” Maria says, “I’m happy, and I thank BronxWorks for making it happen, to welcome me to this beautiful apartment.”
Katie Moquete says that the housing first model is important because it honors the reality that having a home is one of the foundational components in improving anyone’s situation.
Maria decorates her apartment with pictures of her family. There are pictures of her adult son and daughter-in-law, of her father who passed away, of her and her granddaughter, and her beloved pets. And among all the pictures, there is one of Maria at BronxWorks on her 50th birthday. “When I need help with something, BronxWorks is always there,” she says.
It’s home sweet home, thanks to BronxWorks.”
-Maria P.
Throughout this year, we are inspired by the many stories of resilience and hope we witness every single day. Your support truly impacts BronxWorks program participants as they face various hardships, especially as the Bronx continues to recover from the socioeconomic effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The BronxWorks Building Better Futures Fund will help Bronx families in supportive housing like Maria’s make the next steps in improving and living their lives. Donate today!
Maria P. and her family have found their permanent home.
Maria is a mother of five. In 2019, she and three of her children were living in a shelter when she became eligible for a supportive housing apartment.
Maria interviewed with Katie Moquete, Assistant Program Director, and was offered a two-bedroom permanent supportive housing unit. “It’s not easy for people with children in the shelter,” Maria says, “I’m happy, and I thank BronxWorks for making it happen, to welcome me to this beautiful apartment.”
Katie Moquete says that the housing first model is important because it honors the reality that having a home is one of the foundational components in improving anyone’s situation.
Maria decorates her apartment with pictures of her family. There are pictures of her adult son and daughter-in-law, of her father who passed away, of her and her granddaughter, and her beloved pets. And among all the pictures, there is one of Maria at BronxWorks on her 50th birthday. “When I need help with something, BronxWorks is always there,” she says.
It’s home sweet home, thanks to BronxWorks.”
-Maria P.
Throughout this year, we are inspired by the many stories of resilience and hope we witness every single day. Your support truly impacts BronxWorks program participants as they face various hardships, especially as the Bronx continues to recover from the socioeconomic effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The BronxWorks Building Better Futures Fund will help Bronx families in supportive housing like Maria’s make the next steps in improving and living their lives. Donate today!
