Pine Street Inn Artists Participate in Open Studios

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, a group of 10 women gathered around a table at the rear of ’s emergency women’s shelter on Thursday creating necklaces, bracelets and meditation beads from materials spread before them. Rockport artist Christine Bobek oversaw the project, one of the shelter's weekly art classes offered to guests and residents as an outlet for creative expression. 

“Everybody comes in and does something different, it’s exciting to watch,” Bobek said after passing out materials and giving brief instructions. “I really love this job and I love working here.”

Through the Pine Street Art Program, which is financed by a grant from the Boston Foundation, Bobek and other artists lead weekly 2-hour workshops at both of Pine Street’s emergency shelters and in some of its housing locations. Workshops range from painting and drawing to mask making or pottery.

“It’s an opportunity for us to offer guests something to do during the day…to break away from the monotony,” said Volunteer Coordinator Scottie Wait. “It’s really grown into a wonderful program.” 

The program’s origins stem back almost a decade, but funding from the Boston Foundation has been in place since 2007, enabling artists to stay on for longer. Many teach for a span of 4-6 months, Wait said.

“The whole idea is to give artists an opportunity to really connect with guests and residents,” she said. “Some of them get very attached.”

For Marie Grace Miranda, a regular at the women’s shelter workshops, painting has become both a creative outlet and a way to give back. Miranda donates all of the proceeds from the sale of her paintings to charitable causes.

“I donate every single penny,” she said. “I donate to the poor and to the people that really need it.”

Miranda, who declined to share her personal story, emphasized the emotional outlet painting has provided her, and others in the program. She learned how to draw from her father, she said.

“It helps people, especially people with depression,” she said. “I’ve always loved art. When I get stressed out, that’s what I do.”

One of her paintings has been featured on a billboard and she’s given others to family and friends. Her favorite subject matters are floral arrangements and "inspirations" - landscapes of places she's traveled to.

Miranda's work, and the work of other Pine Street artists, will be on display this weekend as part of the . The public is invited to stop by 300 Shawmut Avenue, one of the shelter's permanent housing locations, to view artwork and meet the artists between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. All proceeds from the sale of artwork will go directly to the artists.