Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center is pleased to announce Prima Materia, an exhibition featuring the work of the River Street Shelter Artists’ Collective on October 26 and 27 at the Museum of Art & History, 705 Front Street, Santa Cruz during open hours. Featured will be 30 original paintings by former and current participants in the River Street Artists’ Collective, as well as the work of 17 professional local and international artists.

A reception and auction of all the paintings will take place on Saturday, October 27 from 5:00-8:00 pm. There will be a silent auction of the Shelter’s Artists’ Collective paintings throughout the evening and a live auction of the donated art pieces beginning at 6:45 pm. Contributing artists include: Kathleen Bartlett Abood, Michele Indiana Anderson, Caroline Birch, Karen Card, Shelby Graham, Helena Harper, Chris Hogeland, Asta Jakobs, Tailim Jung, Mattie Leeds, James McElheron, Bonnie Minardi, Ursala O’Farrell, Francis Padilla, Abigail Stryker, and Liz Thomas.

Prima Materia is the culmination of five years of weekly art therapy sessions at the River Street Homeless Shelter led by Art Therapist Intern, Cheryl Ruby. Participants are guided through an artistic process that allows them to connect their inner world with the natural world, build trusting relationships, and bring forth their individual strengths and potential.

River Street Shelter is the first emergency homeless shelter for adult men and women in Santa Cruz. It was created by the Citizen’s Committee for the Homeless in 1987 and has been operated by the Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center since 1989. The Shelter provides its guests with the opportunity to make positive choices that support recovery, wellness, and personal growth. Specialized counseling is available for residents with mental health and substance abuse issues. More information is available at www.scccc.org or (831) 469-1700.