Martin to host Art of Resilience Benefit February 7, 2025, at the National Arts Club.
NEW YORK, NY– (December 4, 2024) HELP USA, the renowned national homeless services provider, and supportive housing operator, announced acclaimed visual artist Shantell Martin has been named the 2025 Art of Resilience Artist and will create an original work for permanent installation at the new HELP Glenmore, a purpose-built shelter in Brooklyn, New York, for homeless women. Set to be unveiled in Fall 2025 once construction is completed, Martin’s commission is the next in a series of art initiatives with leading artists undertaken by HELP USA aimed at raising awareness about the trauma faced by people who have experienced homelessness and the power of art to help those in crisis.
“I am deeply honored to collaborate with HELP USA as the 2025 Art of Resilience Artist. Art has the transformative power to inspire connection, provide solace, and bring visibility to the often-overlooked stories of resilience and humanity,” said Shantell Martin. “This project is an opportunity to create a space of healing and empowerment for women, while also amplifying the conversation around homelessness and the vital role we all play in addressing it. Together, I hope we can imagine a future where everyone has the support and dignity they deserve.”
Shantell Martin is a public speaker, intuitive philosopher, cultural facilitator, curator, choreographer, songwriter, and performer whose work explores themes such as intersectionality, identity and play. Her 2024 installations in New York City for Art Production Fund at Rockefeller Center and Times Square Arts in Times Square have garnered widespread critical acclaim. These immersive works created meaningful spaces for reflection and meditation, offering tranquility amidst the vibrant energy of the city’s busiest streets. From fashion and celebrity collaborations to adjunct professor positions at MIT Media Lab, NYU Tisch ITP, Columbia University’s Brown Institute, and choreographing a ballet at the Boston Ballet, Martin creates new connections between fine art, education, design, philosophy, and technology.
HELP USA’s Art of Resilience program is an innovative therapeutic approach that combines the healing power of art with personalized social and emotional clinical assessments. By using art as a means of expression, HELP USA’s therapists gain valuable insights into the unique needs of individuals in crisis. This enables the care team to create tailored support plans and develop pathways to long-term solutions for each participant. Programs are offered at two transitional housing sites for single women, one for single men, a domestic violence shelter for women and children, three immigrant family sanctuary shelters, and a supportive housing complex for formerly homeless young mothers.
HELP Glenmore was designed by Curtis + Ginsburg and developed by Camber Property Group. Fifth Avenue Builders, a joint partnership between Camber Property Group and Urban Atelier Group, are constructing the building. HELP USA will deliver high-quality, trauma-informed intake and assessment for homeless women who will occupy the 200 beds that comprise the new building. An on-site Art Therapist will introduce the Art of Resilience program and offer studio hours for individual and small group sessions, as well as open studio hours to help residents process traumas caused by homelessness.
“Shantell Martin’s artwork will be a wonderful addition to the HELP Glenmore project, and we are excited to host her and her work,” said Rick Gropper, co-founder and principal of Camber Property Group. “Artwork has its own healing and therapeutic properties, and Ms. Martin’s work will contribute to the overall theme of recovery and renewal that HELP Glenmore represents. We look forward to unveiling this work and appreciate our partner HELP USA’s ongoing commitment to the arts.”
To support the program’s expansion, on February 7, 2025, HELP USA will hold the annual Art of Resilience Benefit at the esteemed National Arts Club in Gramercy Park. Shantell Martin is the Artist Host and will lead a collective artmaking experience, sharing insight into her practice. Chaired by Eden Williams, Dr. Kathryn Beal, Atenedoro Gonzalez, and Christina Senia, the evening will feature a gallery showing of works by residents at HELP USA’s transitional and supportive housing sites, a silent auction of fine art and luxury items, including an original work donated by Shantell Martin, and live music provided by New School musicians. Limited tickets are now available.
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About Shantell Martin
Shantell Martin is a British-born philosopher, visual artist, and cultural facilitator best known for her large-scale, black-and-white drawings. She performs many of her drawings for a live audience. Born in London, Martin lives and works in Los Angeles and New York. In addition to exhibitions and commissions for museums and galleries, Martin frequently works on international commercial projects, both private and public.
Martin’s work has been acquired by major museums, including the collections of the British Government Art Collection (GAC), Los Angeles County Museum of Arts (LACMA), Denver Art Museum (DAM), Bata Shoe Museum, Cooper Hewitt / Smithsonian Design Museum, Whitney Museum, Special Collection, as well as prominent private collections. In addition, the artist has collaborated with major brands including Mattel/UNO, B&B Italia, Tiffany & Co, Flos, Kelly Wearstler, Vitra, The North Face, Jose Cuervo/1800, Max Mara, Kendrick Lamar, American Express, Martone Cycling Co., WME IMG/New York Fashion Week, Interview Magazine, Saks Fifth Ave, Canada, AmFAR, RED, United Arrows & Sons, KCA Blackball, Golden Vines Awards, United Airlines and Art Basel Miami Beach.
Recent solo exhibitions by Shantell Martin include Intimate Whispers, Vardan Gallery, CA (2024), The Future, Subliminal Projects, CA, NEW/NOW, New Britain Museum of American Art, CT (2020), Lines on Mars, Times Square Arts, Midnight Moment, NY (2020), The May Room, Governors Island, NY (2019), and Lines and Words, Denver Art Museum, CO (2019).
About HELP USA
HELP USA works to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. We provide shelter for people in crisis, provide ongoing support for individuals and families in need, and work to strengthen vulnerable communities. Every day, we address the root causes of homelessness at over 40 transitional and housing locations and through more than a dozen prevention and support programs. For more information, visit www.helpusa.org.
