Temporary Shelter: New Exhibition Tells the Stories of Homeless New York Families

Fiber Artist Heather G. Stoltz tells the stories of homeless men, women and children through her installation piece, Temporary Shelter.

For the last two years, Stoltz has been interviewing men and women in New York's faith-based homeless shelters and translating their stories into visual fiber art panels that make up the interior walls of the structure.

The outside walls are made up of more than 100 small fiber art pieces made by children in the city's family shelters.

Stoltz visited nine family shelters and helped the students create art which expresses their feelings about not having a permanent home.

Represented in the piece are the stories of homeless New Yorkers ages 4 to 75.

To learn more about the piece or the people whose stories are depicted, visit Heather’s website, SEWING STORIES.

The piece will travel to the following churches and synagogues:
November 5-12, 2011 - Stephen Wise Free Synagogue (30 West 68th Street)
*Monday, November 7: 7:00pm Concert and Presentation open to the public with a donation to the SWFS shelter
Friday, November 11: Heather will be available after the 6:00pm service to answer questions about the piece
November 13-20, 2011 - Sixth Street Community Synagogue (325 East 6th Street)
*Sunday, November 13: A presentation will follow the 3:00pm concert
December 1-8, 2011 - Church of the Holy Trinity (316 East 88th Street)
*Sunday, December 4: Heather will give a presentation following the 10:30am and 6:00pm services
December 10-18, 2011 - Church of St. Frances Xavier (46 West 16th Street)
*Sunday, December 11: Heather will be available to answer questions 10-11:30am and 12:30-1pm
December 19-26, 2011 - Congregation Shaare Zedek (212 West 93rd Street)
*Program details TBA