HUMBLE BEAUTY DEBUTS ON KCET LOS ANGELES

HUMBLE BEAUTY premiered on KCET, public television in Los Angeles, on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 in a fund-raising event for the station and its non-profit partner for the broadcast, The Midnight Mission. Hosted by Val Zavala and Leyla Farah, Ed Begley, Jr. was the spokesperson for the Mission. Filmmakers Letitia Schwartz and Judith Vogelsang were interviewed during the pledge breaks. Graduates of the Mission's rehab and many other programs spoke movingly about their life stories and how the Mission helped them. The phones were ringing off their hooks that night at KCET. In lieu of sending a thank you gift (like a mug or a tote bag), when you donate $60 or more to KCET they will provide food, shelter and toiletries to men, women and children in need through the services of The Midnight Mission. It was a win-win-win event for all concerned.

KCET will air HUMBLE BEAUTY uninterrupted several times over the next three years-- through 2014. We are thrilled that so many Los Angeles viewers will be able to see the film and peek into the window it provides to a remarkably talented community of people who are so often "invisible" to mainstream society. Please check the KCET schedule for the next showing of HUMBLE BEAUTY.

What HUMBLE BEAUTY is about

An hour documentary that tells the story of a group of talented homeless and formerly homeless fine arts painters who live and create their art in the worst area of LA . It's also about the ubiquity of art in human life. People strive to make art no matter how difficult the circumstances and in return art transforms their lives. It's a window into a rarely seen world, people on the fringes of society often invisible to most Americans.

For four years, we followed the lives and progress of several artists from LA's Skid Row, the homeless capital of America. We used several techniques to tell the stories including cinema verite, interviews and narration. Spontaneous moments from their lives, intimate interviews, their fascinating life stories, their evolving artwork and life's progress are documented. We meet oil, acrylic and watercolor painters, charcoal, pen and crayon sketchers and collage makers. Some artists find their art supplies in garbage cans and dumpsters. They draw on old paper bags. Many have joined art workshops led by dedicated and remarkable artist/social workers and are given paint, canvases, frames, easels and the technical, creative and supportive guidance to create stunning, often therapeutic works of art. Several of these art workshop members have shown --and sold -- their work in downtown Los Anglees galleries. Their tight-knit Skid Row community nourishes their artistic abilities.

Art changed their lives dramatically. One woman told us that coming to the workshop was the only reason she has for getting up in the morning. A directionless hustler has become a known painter and active community leader. A shy immigrant who creates, in classic primitive style, riotously colorful scenes from his childhood in a tiny Mexican village has suffered a set-back. He's been admitted to art school at the University of California, Berkeley and awarded a scholarship but can't attend due to his immigration status. One artist was a 12-year old runaway from an Oklahoma Indian Reservation in 1941 and has been on the streets of Skid Row ever since. Art has given their lives meaning and a reason for existence. There are many stories among the artists of LA's Skid Row to bring to the attention of a wide audience.

HUMBLE BEAUTY Screens in 2 Film Festivals in April

HUMBLE BEAUTY screens at the FirstGlance Film Festival Hollywood on Saturday, April 9th at 3:30 pm at the Chaplin Theatre, Raleigh Studios, 5300 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA 90038. Filmmakers Letitia Schwartz & Judith Vogelsang will attend the screening as well as some of the artists and mentors from the film. Tickets are $8, available in advance at http://firstglancefilms.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=346186 and at the door on the day. Audience members have a chance to vote for HUMBLE BEAUTY as Best in Festival.

HUMBLE BEAUTY also screens at the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival on Thursday, April 14th at 4 pm at the Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, Lake Arrowhead, CA. Filmmaker Letitia Schwartz will attend the screening. Tickets are available at the door on the day. Festival Passes (to multiple films) are available in advance at www.lakearrowheadfilmfestival.com/cart.

Come out and support HUMBLE BEAUTY at one of these screenings! We look forward to seeing you there.