It’s been said that you cannot truly understand another person’s experience until you’ve “walked a mile in their shoes.” With that in mind, the young people of Covenant House Michigan are working on a special entry for ArtPrize called “A Mile in Our Sneakers.” The visual and interactive display is an invitation from the young people of Covenant House Michigan to step into their world and experience youth homelessness through their moving designs.
This mixed media installation is being created using pencils, markers, and paint, with a pair of Keds sneakers as the canvas. The sneakers will adorn a tree we are building which signifies growth, shelter, and protection. Accompanying the installation will be QR codes containing video messages and personal reflections from the artists themselves. Click here to see one of the videos.
“A Mile in Our Sneakers” is a collaborative effort by youth artists in Detroit and Grand Rapids currently experiencing housing insecurity. Their thoughtful designs will tell stories of resilience, love, and hope, and are meant to evoke empathy and understanding while connecting viewers to Covenant House Michigan’s mission of eradicating youth homelessness through unconditional love, absolute respect, and relentless support.
Watch for more details about where you can view the project, interact with the project by leaving messages for youth residents of Covenant House Michigan, vote for A Mile in Our Sneakers and support this effort. More information to come.
