InToto Book Release Celebration: "Unsheltered Expressions: Binding Hope"

InToto Creative Arts, in partnership with Firehouse Shelter, announces the release of "Unsheltered Expressions: Binding Hope," a book that showcases art and writings created by shelter guests. Developed through weekly community arts workshops with local nonprofit InToto Creative Arts, the book provides a platform for voices often overlooked and invites the community to engage with the realities of homelessness through creative expression.

Supported by the City of Birmingham and Create Birmingham through their Community Arts Grant, this project will culminate in a community book release celebration on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 5-8 PM at the beautiful Clubhouse on Highland. The evening will feature an art exhibit and live poetry readings by book contributors. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in hand binding the book with guidance from artist/UAB Professor/longtime InToto support Doug Baulos, creating a collective experience that reinforces community connection. Contributing artists will be compensated for their contributions, supporting their journeys toward self-sufficiency. The event is free and open to the public and includes complementary food and drink. InToto will graciously accept donations to support our healing arts programming.

By showcasing the work of these talented individuals, we can challenge societal perceptions around homelessness. The book will serve as a reflection of the humanity that connects us all, regardless of our circumstances. By offering a platform for self-expression, "Unsheltered Expressions" empowers contributors to claim their identities as artists, giving them a sense of agency and visibility within the community. In addition to showcasing their works, the project fosters mutual understanding and empathy, emphasizing the importance of building relationships and dismantling social barriers. It is a reminder that art can serve as both a tool for personal healing and a powerful form of advocacy.

InToto Creative Arts is a Birmingham-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing creative platforms for individuals facing severe hardship such as homelessness, PTSD and other mental illness, and disability. Through a range of arts programs, InToto works to foster emotional healing, self-expression, and community connection. InToto’s programs serve as a safe space for individuals to explore their identities and share their stories through various art forms. InToto brings regular weekly healing arts programming to 5 community partners: Firehouse Shelter, Pathways Home, Faith Chapel Care Center, The 1920 Club, and the VA.

The Firehouse Shelter is Birmingham's leading organization dedicated to serving men experiencing homelessness. Through a combination of emergency shelter, supportive housing, and community services, Firehouse Shelter offers resources and programs to help guests transition to stable housing and employment. Their work focuses on not just meeting immediate needs, but also providing long-term solutions for individuals to reclaim their independence and thrive. InToto is deeply ingrained in the culture of the Firehouse, providing 4 weekly classes year-around in visual art, creative writing, movement, music, and drama and supporting guests’ journeys towards stability and healing.

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For more information about the event, please contact InToto Creative Arts at (205) 201-0011 or email aW5mbyB8IGludG90b2NyZWF0aXZlYXJ0cyAhIG9yZw==.

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