HeARTworks

Darryl Washington (right) and a potential buyer at HeARTworks. Credit: Courtesy UMC

Stewpot Community Services serves meals to 60,000 people each year. Even more people benefit from the other services the organization provides, including a food pantry and a clothing closet. Stewpot’s purpose is to provide basic needs to children, elderly, disabled and poor people in the Jackson area, and offer volunteer opportunities for those interested.

Local artist Stacy Underwood works with Stewpot’s clients to give them an artistic outlet. In 2008, she started HeARTworks, an art ministry program. Underwood was looking for a way to use her talents, and was inspired after reading “Same Kind of Different as Me” by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, a book about a millionaire and a homeless man finding themselves on equal ground. Each week, Underwood has weekly art sessions with Stewpot clients. The program allows them to focus on their creativity, share their talents and make money by auctioning their work at the HeARTworks art show, held every fall. The artists receive 80 percent of the profits from their work, and the other 20 percent goes to Stewpot.

2013 marks the sixth year for the show, and this year, the event will be at The Cedars in Fondren . The Junior League of Jackson, GI Associates and Endoscopy Center, and Brown’s Fine Art and Framing are this year’s sponsors.

More than 250 works of art in various media from program participants will be on display and for sale, including 15 large abstract paintings. Local artists such as Ginger Williams-Cook and Ginny Futvoye have also collaborated with Stewpot clients to produce for the event.

HeARTworks is tonight, Oct. 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Cedars (4145 Old Canton Road, 601-366-5552). Admission is free. For more information, call 601-981-9606.