This Collection
Their Vision of Homelessness
Their Hope
To Raise Awareness Across the Nation
Jonathan Webb, a Cape Cod artist, grew up in northeastern Connecticut. Throughout his youth he spent summers on Cape Cod and the Islands. He served four years in the United States Coast Guard, two of which were on the Cape.
Jonathan is entirely self-taught. He has been influenced by his visits through galleries and museums in the Southwest as well as on the Cape. His early medium was watercolor but he is now working with oils, especially for his portraits and landscapes.
The natural beauty of the coastal seascape is an inspiration to Jonathan as is the generosity of spirit and the kindness of the people whom he has come to know and befriend. He is privileged to contribute these murals on behalf of Homeless not Hopeless, Inc.
Jonathan currently resides at the Noah Center, a shelter for homeless individuals, run by Housing Assistance Corporation
Davio was born David Brown. He was born in Holyoke, MA. but has spent the last 10 years on Cape Cod.
Davio has spent much of the last 30 years creating art and is well known in the artisit communities not only on Cape Cod, but also in Boston and in Western Massachusetts.
Besides being an artist, Davio is also a professional chef.
Davio contracted the AIDs virus in 1994 and in his words, "I am currently trying to obtain housing on Cape Cod, and find it to be the most arduous task I've faced other than the AIDs Virus."
Davio currently resides at the Pilot House, a sober house program run by Community Action Committee.
The Project
July 2007, Mark Halstead, President of Homeless not Hopeless, Inc. presented the idea of creating a mural to his board of directors. At the time, no artist had been identified. The only thing that was certain about the vision was that it must, somehow, depict homelessness, be ready in time for the National Homeless Person's Memorial Day, December 21 and incorporate the handprints of currently homeless individuals.
After 2 1/2 months of idea's, his board of directors came back with answers. Bill Bishop, Homeless not Hopeless, Inc. outreach worker and Director of Site management found the artists. One he found at the Pilot house, the other he found in the midst of the crowds at Noah.
The decision was made that 8 panels would be created. The artists would be given full license to express their visions of homelessness as they saw fit. One panel would fulfill the requirement of the handprints.
Mary Ann Hakenson, Vice-President of Homeless not Hopeless, presented the location. Inital contact was made with Larry Squire of the Main St. TD Bank North and a location was confirmed.
On November 1st, the painting began in the basement of "Faith" House.
As the kick-off to the National Homeless Person's Memorial Day, on December 17th, the panels began to make their appearance for all of Cape Cod to enjoy.
Since the memorial, the murals have made several appearances at a number of churches across the cape. Four of the panels currently can be viewed at the Barnstable Unitarian Curch on RTE 6A in Barnstable. A professional photographer has taken pictures of the murals and we are in the process of having sets of cards and prints made for sale. Stay tuned for details.