Panevėžys city municipality administration

The project CREATIVE HOME(less) is an initiative for combating the stigma of being homeless through artistic practice. Creative Home(less) helps the homeless through art. The initiative offers art therapy to the residents of the Panevezys shelter, in Lithuania, to liberate them from the complexes of being homeless and encourage them to open up and reclaim their independence.
Creative Home(less) has seen 23 homeless participants get involved since February 2022, all of whom underwent fourteen hours of art therapy and worked in small groups of five or six people. The classes were given in several places, including the Local History Museum, the Panevėžys Photo Gallery and the Panevėžys Art Gallery. The sessions ended with a final group workshop and the opening of a public exhibition.
A positive relation was established with most of the participants, they opened up, felt accepted and deserved basic humanity in their everyday communication. The results were better than expected- 4 employed participants, 4 participants that moved from the hostel to live independently, some have found the courage to continue visiting the city cultural spaces by themselves and participating in similar activities. Furthermore the analysis of therapeutics drawings before and after participation reflected a partial reduction in stress levels and changes in controllability. Project’s team believes and the pilot proved that usual solutions are not enough for homeless people. A creativity, which encourages the creation that heals and grows us from the inside is vital.