LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
“I don’t like to see anybody suffering. I don’t like to see animals suffering. I’ll just help who I can help,” a talented Midwestern artist said.
It is the artist’s kind of selfless dedication that makes her, Trish Lewsader, a prime example of a local, community difference-maker.
Lewsader is a multi-medium artist and homeless advocate. Her homeless ministry, which she calls ‘The Homeless Project’, is primarily based in Terre Haute, but has helped Edgar County residents on multiple occasions.
The program assists with clothes, food, bedding, shoes, home assistance and other resources. Lewsader regularly posts online about the various individuals needing assistance and raises awareness for how the community can help the program.
“Personally, I can’t imagine being on the street for one week,” said Lewsader. “Many on the street are damaged from depression, physical and mental abuse, handicapped and/or just kicked out as soon as they are old enough to be on the street. Many families are struggling to feed and take care of themselves. Some do drugs and alcohol or prostitution to survive. A terrible hard life.”
When she isn’t helping people with her homeless ministry, she is creating art to prepare for an upcoming gallery that will raise money for the Edgar County Animal Shelter.
“The whole idea was to help raise money for them because so many people are turning their animals in now…My main objective is to help people first, but I am an avid animal lover,” said Lewsader.
With a family full of artistic abilities, Lewsader and her relatives are teaming together to provide a wide selection of displays throughout the gallery. Artwork will range from drawing, painting, wood carving, printing and others.
Lewsader’s art is full of passion, care and life rooted in years of discipline and creative exploration. She hopes the art displayed shows that dedication and gallery attendees are further inclined to purchase a piece to support the animal shelter.
“You don’t think about keeping things nice and neat. You’re not thinking much at all. You’re just going to the next thing that you know is needed,” she said. “I am a person that looks at things deeper. It’s not just the surface of what you see. When I paint something, I always know what it’s going to look like before it happens. Not only that, I can feel the intensity of it.”
The art showing is 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Link Art Gallery.
Information about the homeless ministry can be obtained by reaching out to Trish Lewsader on Facebook.