by Chloe Davis, SFR intern IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
Reception
4-8 pm
Saturday, Feb. 20
50 E. San Francisco St.
Exhibition is free and open to the public
Whether or not artistic talent runs in the family, any common interest is something to celebrate. Susan Kelly, her daughter Rachel Kelly and her granddaughter Sara Grab all celebrate their common interest in art by holding a benefit for the Santa Fe Youth Shelters, in which they will be selling their artwork. Susan draws from photos of teenagers, Rachel creates whimsical paintings and collages and Sara shows a series of photographs of elderly people holding photos of themselves when they were very young.
“My granddaughter volunteers at St. Elizabeth Shelter for the Homeless through Santa Fe Prep," Susan says, referencing a familial urge to volunteer. "When Youth Shelters had to re-locate, I really picked up interest,” she continues, when asked why they chose to raise money for Youth Shelters. “I like what they do—I like that they have counseling, I like that youth can do their laundry and bathe. Being a teen is difficult enough and I am glad that there is help for the ones that are struggling.”By combining the family artwork, Susan, Rachel and Sara bring help to Santa Fe's homeless, run away and in-crisis youth, of which there are over 600 in Santa Fe. Thanks to Youth Shelters' Emergency Shelter, First Contact Street Outreach and Transitional Living Programs becoming more available to youth, the number of youth helped every year has gone from less than 100 to over 5,000.
“I started drawing teenagers about five years ago after my husband died," Susan says. "I went to Rachel and Sara's house and Sara was sitting doing her homework in a John Deere hat with her dachshund puppy on her lap. She looked like such a teenager. So I quietly took a photo of her and drew it for her for Christmas, so I guess that was my inspiration."Youth Shelters, Street Outreach, the Clinical Service Center and the Emergency Shelter all provide family counseling to try and help homeless or run away youth reunite with their families. These services are available for youth ages 10-18 at the Emergency Shelter and for youth up to age 22 at Street Outreach. With all the services being provided to pre-teens and teens in crisis, the bills can get pricey, so financial help is always welcome.
This is where Susan, Rachel, and Sara come in. These generations will be selling three very different art forms, all for one very important cause at It Runs In the Family.
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILYReception
4-8 pm
Saturday, Feb. 20
50 E. San Francisco St.
Exhibition is free and open to the public
