Poetry Benefit for Turning Point Foundation-- Saturday April 12th

Group poetry reading to benefit Turning Point Foundation Saturday 4/12 7pm
$10.00 Donation

Poets included: Doris Vernon, Mifanwy Kaiser and friends, Enid Osborn, Gauvin, John Gentry, Mary Kay Rummel, Grant Marcus, Shelley Savren, Elijah Imlay, Bill Mohr, Diane Blackburn, Jackson Wheeler, Neal Andrews

Hosted by: Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart

The reading is a part of :
From the Margins Exhibit
Curated by Phil and Marsha
March 22 to April 27

The show explores all forms of marginalization whether in self, family or society. The creative impulse has often been used in the face of madness, despair and chaos, to make sense of it, to make sense through art. Creativity is idealized while mental illness is demonized, yet the same energy can fuel either. This show is an exploration of extreme states of being in the world

Rick Sings
Poems, video and photos by Phil Taggart
Upstairs Gallery
March 22 – April 27

About twenty-five years ago my mentally ill brother showed up on my doorstep and has lived within a few blocks of me in Ventura’s Avenue neighborhood ever since.
As a writer I wrote about him, first unconsciously then consciously. Some years back, I started pulling all the work together into something I called “The Rick Poems”. In the last few years I started photographing him also. I then started melding the two visions together. I also photographed homeless folks as they are a part of Rick’s everyday world and subsequently part of mine.
This exhibit is an attempt to humanize a marginalized man and all marginalized humans. Turning Point Foundation was established in 1988 and is governed by a board of directors drawn from the Ventura County community. Serving more than 500 clients each year through its shelter, supported housing and rehabilitation programs, Turning Point is the only non-profit agency in Ventura county that addresses the critical community support needs of mentally ill adults.


Turning Point Foundation
www.turningpointfoundation.org
River Haven is home to a group of previously homeless county residents. They have created a self-sustaining tent community where their basic needs can be met in a stable, sanitary environment free of violence, drugs and alcohol until they are able to access housing. As the official sponsor of this group, Turning Point provides administrative and supportive services to ensure the ongoing success of this unique project. River haven is run by Turning Point.
Turning Point Foundation was established in 1988 and is governed by a board of directors drawn from the Ventura County community. Serving more than 500 clients each year through its shelter, supported housing and rehabilitation programs, Turning Point is the only non-profit agency in Ventura county that addresses the critical community support needs of mentally ill adults.