The Southern Shore Art Association held a unique exhibition in February at their Uptown Franklin Street Gallery in Michigan City. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with Christina Karamesines and Edwin Shelton was in support of Safe Harbor’s After School Program and featured the Native American art works of twenty-four inmates from the Native American Circle at the Indiana State Prison as well as artworks by the Safe Harbor students. A display of the Safe Harbor enrichment opportunities offered to the after school participants was also featured in the Gallery. The ISP Native American Circle donated all sales proceeds to Safe Harbor.
“And even though the SSAA is a non-profit institution itself, supported through member funding and our Gallery sales, we are pleased to announce our Board of Directors has decided to donate commissions on all sales from the February show back to Safe Harbor as well” said Anneke Dekker, Board President. “We know the importance of community organizations supporting one another and our area’s children benefit strongly from the activities of Safe Harbor.”
The ISP Native American Circle Art exhibition was made possible by a number of donors. Mr. Mark Marz funded the gallery fee and materials for the pilot for the “Native American Circle Arts & Crafts Pilot Program”. Edwin Shelton and Christina Karamesines volunteered their time and Christina made a substantial donation of materials for the project. Other donors included Tom Montgomery, Kathy and Karl Dennis, Mike Wesphal, Laurel Izard and Firme Art Supply. Some of the inmates used their limited funds for materials.