One of the pilot HUB Collaborative Seed Grants, Gleaning Project led by New York-based artist Noemia Marinho brings renewal to marginalized neighbors and caring for the Earth through art. Through a partnership with Storefront Church, the project focuses on the communities along the High Line. Noemia, church volunteers, and community participants collect discarded materials such as plastic bags, used tea bags, and aluminum foil. These materials serve as the canvas for artwork, and they employ and train community participants as artist assistants.
The collected materials undergo a creative metamorphosis. They are meticulously cleaned, cut, crocheted, sewed, braided, and transformed into unique art pieces. This transformative process not only produces art but also fosters a sense of community, purpose, and healing among participants. All the completed art pieces are showcased, marketed, and sold, and the profits generated are reinvested back into the project, fueling our mission and sustainable growth.
Over the past few months, Gleaning Project has seen remarkable progress, with their partnership with the church growing stronger. They have hosted their first art exhibition at Neighbor, the church’s community space, helped to support the transition of participants to more stable life situations and steadier employment, and expanded the program into a one-year experience.