POVA IN THE NEWS: NFocus - Poverty and the Arts Launches New Website to Sell Artwork

Poverty and the Arts Launches New Website to Sell Artwork

The nonprofit now offers online shopping for works and goods by artists who are homeless

By: Jonathan Sims

In a time when more people have found themselves under unbearable financial strain due to the pandemic and other societal pressures, local nonprofit POVA (Poverty and the Arts) has recently launched a beautiful new site to promote and sell artwork created by and to support people who are impacted by homelessness. The gallery, which has also recently joined the Nashville Gallery Association, includes original artwork and reproductions on various pieces of merchandise, including a timely line of holiday cards and more general greeting cards, coasters, aprons and even pillows and blankets. You can even take a short quiz to find the perfect artwork to give as a gift for a loved one (or for yourself, of course). 

Since 2014, POVA has provided creative resources and an artistic platform for people who wouldn't typically have these opportunities. Their Artist Collective program "equips people impacted by homelessness with the artistic resources, training and marketplace to gain financial independence and overcome barriers to employment by leveraging their creative talent to earn meaningful and legal income." When you purchase artwork from POVA, the artists earn 60 percent commission on original artwork sales and 25 percent on reproductions and merchandise. The rest is funneled back into the organization to help maintain the space and resources.

For more information on POVA and their artists and to purchase artwork, visit povanashville.org.