Liberated Arts Foundation is presenting a pop-up exhibition highlighting the stories of homelessness with contemporary artwork at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia.

“Threads of Humanity: Art of Survival” opened Dec. 11 and runs through Jan. 18, 2025. This intimate art exhibit blends contemporary works, including mixed media and Afrocentric art, with storytelling that highlights the struggles and resilience of homeless individuals. The artworks of local artists Christopher Green, Mylo Global, Ron Stokes, Nalan Smartt Jr., and Faithe Norrell, BHMVA’s education and program coordinator, are on display.

Local artist David Marion and his wife, Tiara Green, have been curating the exhibit with the museum since April.

“We also want people to realize the struggles of those who are homeless or on the verge of being homeless and how they truly endure during those times,” Green said.

Marion and Green have volunteered for homeless prevention organizations such as Feed The Streets RVA.

“We know that those stories are out there and we also — as African Americans — know that the largest population of the homeless are here in Richmond, Virginia,” Green said. 

Richmond-based nonprofit organization Homeward reported in July that Black people are the largest racial demographic that experienced the most homelessness by 62%. Homeward also identified factors such as family breakdown, unemployment, eviction, and unaffordable housing as the main contributors to homelessness.

Homelessness and the need for affordable housing remain persistent challenges in Richmond. The number of unsheltered individuals has grown in recent years. Last year, 486 unsheltered individuals were reported citywide. This year, that number has risen to 585.

Addressing and preventing homelessness is a complex challenge, but Marion said his art exhibit aims to inspire change and spark meaningful conversations.

“All of this is reflected in the art,” he said. “Some of these are personal stories. Some of these are stories of people that they know, family members and people that are acquaintances.

So, we just want people to kind of take it in, digest it and be ready to have that conversation and want to help.”

All artwork is available for purchase, with half of the proceeds supporting organizations such as Feed The Streets RVA and Home Again, which work to prevent and combat homelessness by funding resources and expanding shelter options for individuals in need.

“This is just us giving a small portion – a very small portion – of what [these organizations] really need,” Green said. “But the issue is resources, whether it’s human capital … monetary funding, they need the support of the community.”