In the News: Articles About Dégagé
Press Release: Art Prize Brings Traffic to Struggling Nonprofit Organizations
In an economy where charitable donations are down and the demand for social services is up, local nonprofits are struggling to keep their doors open. Finding new and unique fundraising opportunities is the new game and nonprofit organizations relish the opportunity to share their mission with potential new donors and volunteers.
This is no exception for local nonprofit organization, Dégagé Ministries. Serving the city’s homeless and low-income population, Dégagé Ministries opens its doors to 400-500 individuals each day. Since Wednesday, the organization has also been opening its doors to a new population—Art Prize voters. The artwork of three local artists draws steady foot traffic to the organization, exposing hundreds of individuals to the mission of Dégagé Ministries that might not otherwise hear it.
“We are thrilled to be an Art Prize venue and share in the city’s excitement surrounding the event. We are also grateful for the opportunity to welcome new faces into our facility. Although they come to view the artwork, we hope they also leave with a memory of the work we do here every day to serve those in need in our community,” says Dégagé Ministries’ Executive Director,
Each of the artists showing at Dégagé Ministries created work that holds a special meaning to the population that Dégagé Ministries serves. Artist Glenna Tegner painted a large mural titled “In The Rain” which features real faces of our city’s homeless and struggling. Tegner says, “Those who receive support from Dégagé and other ministries are perceived as poor and not like others. I believe we are very much the same and want to offer a new perspective of this through my work.”
Artist Linda Bassford created a two part mural with a large painting of the lighthouse at Grand Haven. Bassford explains, “This art was created to inspire the patrons of the ministry. I chose a subject that is familiar to them. (Degage takes trips to Grand Haven during the summer). I wanted to add color and bring interest to the wall. I hoped to make a connection to the patrons and make them feel at home and encouraged.”
Tegner and Bassford’s work are a permanent donation to the ministry and will remain on display after Art Prize.
William LaGrone Jr.’s work is also unique. He created a painting of a man breaking through a curtain. The work originates from his personal journey with epilepsy. William says, “This piece has been titled “Breakthrough” because of the emotional as well as physical strength of mankind in times of stress and trauma that is experienced on a daily basis." This is a topic very familiar to the patrons of Dégagé Ministries.
The artists will give remarks about their work at 2:30 pm, Sunday September 27th at Dégagé Ministries,