There are plenty of issues that plague the impoverished and disadvantaged in Memphis, and homelessness is certainly among them, especially in Midtown. And while there are many wonderful services, ministries and programs available to assist the homeless, none of the programs can match the creativity of More Than Art. The program is hosted by Idlewild Presbyterian Church and is well known in the Midtown area for its outreach services. More Than Art takes place a few hours before the ever-popular More Than A Meal, a free weekly dinner on Thursdays. But as the names of the programs imply, they truly are more than a simple meal and an art class. There are elements of community, faith and hope infused in every aspect of both these ministries, but the truly inspired aspect of More Than Art is that it provides the underprivileged a rare opportunity for an enriching an creative activity. They have a genuine creative outlet—something very hard to come by on the streets. While More Than Art was initially a program started to benefit the less fortunate, it has grown to include a number of participants who are not homeless—they are parishioners of Idlewild, members of the Midtown community and local college students. The experience is uniting—this vast array of social strata works with the same materials, the same media and the same heart.

The program was started in 2004 by two Rhodes College students with a desire to provide a more personalized and creative outreach program to the homeless in the Midtown area. The name of the program was derived from its association with the already-successful More Than A Meal. The original idea was to provide a friendly atmosphere where any and everyone could come in off the streets to draw, paint, sculpt, color and create. The first few participants were tentative but soon warmed up to the familiar faces of Rhodes students from More Than A Meal. Almost immediately, a community was born in which stories were exchanged, friendships were forged and lives changed. The group started out with simple drawing exercises but progressed quickly to more advanced art lessons. As the paint was brushed and the clay was spun, an important dialogue was established. People who are disregarded by most began talking about their lives, loves and wishes to people who truly cared for their well being. No other environment in Memphis is more conducive to freedom of creativity for the underprivileged than More Than Art.

The distinctive art program proved to be a vehicle of change for many participants. One of the regulars discovered his talent for geometric drawings and hosted his first art show two years after the inception of More Than Art. He is now off the streets, a member of Idlewild and a regular at More Than Art every Thursday afternoon. There are uplifting stories like his developing during each class.

More Than Art has come a long way since 2004, not only for the participants but also the program itself. In its first year, the group created a ‘continual drawing’ on a large roll of fax paper (which is still an open project). This “zine” contained a plethora of drawings, paintings and sculptures and was distributed around the Midtown area. Participants have filmed a re-enactment of the first episode of the 1980’s hit ‘Alf’ (including a red-carpet premier), put on various art shows, recorded music, conducted writing activities and hosted a visiting pottery instructor/minister. As the program continues to grow, it provides a blend of art and outreach unique to the Memphis area.