‘You are still my kin, still worthy of love’: Artists share lived experiences at No Fixed Address

“Some of the most gifted artists, poets, musicians, writers, craftspeople, and storytellers you will ever meet are carrying their work in backpacks, sketching in shelters, writing in notebooks by flashlight, or creating masterpieces while fighting simply to survive another day. Their talent is not diminished by poverty. Their creativity is not erased by trauma, disability, or the absence of housing. If anything, many create because they have endured.”

– No Fixed Address: Between Here and Home

A unique event in Saint John, No Fixed Address, created space where artists with lived experiences of homelessness could be seen for more than their housing status or in the context of addiction, crime or crisis.

Misty Schofield, Matthew Elliot and Sara Graham organized the event at The Wheelhouse on June 19. Food and beverages were provided at the event by Food Not Bombs – Menahkwesk.

The focus of the event was to remind people that those experiencing homelessness are also artists, parents, friends, neighbours and community members with gifts that should be recognized.

“We wanted to shift the narrative by showcasing something that often goes unseen: creativity, talent, resilience, and humanity,” said Schofield, a social worker with Fresh Start Services, a group that supports unhoused people in the city.

The art told stories beyond statistics, while also engaging with the nuances and difficulties of lived experiences. Each artist brought something unique – detailed drawings, paintings, sculpture, writings, photography or work across different mediums. Many had never exhibited their work publicly before and art became expression, a way to reconnect with parts of their identity that homelessness and social stigma often strips away.

“Rather than defining them by their struggles, we wanted people to meet them first as artists. Their stories are incredibly different, but they all share creativity, resilience, and a willingness to be vulnerable enough to share that with the community,” said Schofield.

Some of the artists’ profiles are included below.

John has travelled across the country, leaving pieces of himself wherever he’s gone. His artwork is tattooed on people from coast to coast, carrying his creativity far beyond gallery walls. Equal parts brilliant and hilariously crotchety, John has a sharp wit, a lifetime of stories, and a talent for seeing the world differently. Behind his gruff exterior is an artist whose work has quite literally become part of people’s lives.

If you hear someone singing before you see them, there’s a good chance it’s Rudy. He moves through life with a soundtrack, quoting song lyrics as naturally as most people breathe. He’s always good for a laugh, has legendary hair, and a smile that’s hard not to return. Rudy creates beautiful artwork from found objects, seeing possibility where others might only see things left behind.

Creativity is simply part of who Sweetz is. She’s always making something, whether it’s art, crafts, or finding new ways to express herself. She feels most at home outside in the sunshine, where her imagination seems to thrive. Her curiosity and creativity shine through in everything she does.

Blue is happiest in quiet spaces. Crowds aren’t really her thing, and she’s often found attending events on her own. She has a deep love of words, music, and lyrics, and has been drawing for as long as she can remember. More recently, she’s begun exploring watercolour and acrylic painting, adding new ways to express the creativity she’s always carried with her.

Austin Holland (In Memory) was a brilliant artist, a devoted father, a cherished son, and one of the kindest people you could ever hope to meet. We lost him to suicide in 2023, but his impact continues to be felt throughout our community. Austin believed deeply in people and in showing up for those who were struggling. After losing too many friends to suicide, he started the annual Christmas drive across Reversing Falls Bridge, bringing people together in remembrance, hope, and community. He was deeply loved, and his creativity and compassion continue to inspire us.

Ethan is a remarkably talented young person who has faced more challenges than anyone should have to. He is both a writer and an artist, using creativity to make sense of the world around him. Kind, funny, and just mischievous enough to keep life interesting, Ethan is also an incredibly hard worker who cares deeply about the people in his life. His work reflects both his resilience and his heart.

Tyler is the class clown in the best possible way. He’s quick with a joke, always ready to make someone laugh, and somehow manages to be both larger than life and an absolute gentle giant. He loves tinkering, building, and fixing things, and enjoys settling down with a good book, or a trip to Burger King. Poetry and sketching give him a quiet place to unwind, revealing a thoughtful and creative side beneath his humour.

Kaleena is a thoughtful young artist with an incredible eye for detail. Kind, gentle, and quietly observant, she has a way of noticing the moments that others often miss. Through her photography, she captures more than images—she captures emotion. Her work invites people to slow down, look a little closer, and feel something.

If Vinny knows anything, it’s how to live the good life. He is constantly learning, trying new things, fighting for what’s right. No art or hobby is off the table for Vin: tattooing, writing, metal-detecting, cutting hair, among many others. His charm is infectious; his passion, obvious. Whenever he enters a room, you know you’re in for a gut-busting laugh, rousing speech, or a heart-warming moment.

The community came out in huge numbers and the sale of art and prints raised more than $1,800, which will go to the artists. However, the biggest success wasn’t financial, it was the conversations – people stayed, spoke with the artists, asked questions and shared a meal. Many of the artists were blown away with the response, their smiles reflecting surprise and joy.

Homelessness in Saint John has changed dramatically over the last several years with at least 39 people dying due to homelessness related reasons in 2025 alone, according to Fresh Start Services.

“We’re seeing more people, more seniors, more families, and more individuals living with significant mental health challenges, substance use disorders, brain injuries, and trauma,” Schofield said.

“I hope No Fixed Address is remembered as a space for people to be seen, rather than judged. Homelessness should never define a person’s identity. It should simply describe a circumstance that we, as a community, are committed to ending,” she added.

While various levels of government have tried to blame immigrants for housing shortages and push for more policing, the issue is tied to policy failures at multiple levels. Furthermore, significant gaps in mental health care, addiction treatment, primary health care, income supports, education and youth services persist. People are left to navigate dozens of disconnected systems, while trying to survive and it has become clear that homelessness isn’t just a housing issue, it’s the point where failures across different sectors become visible at once.

Recently, frontline workers and housing advocates have pushed for “Housing First” solutions in which housing is not conditional on overcoming long-standing issues, like sobriety. This is in contrast to “treatment before housing” approaches that deem people unfit for housing until such issues are resolved. While these have demonstrated strong outcomes, Schofield argues that demand continues to outpace resources.

“Front-line workers are often forced to make impossible decisions because there simply aren’t enough housing units, clinical supports, or treatment options available,” she said.

Community organizers and social workers have long argued that an expansion of non-market housing along with social supports and an end to means testing is the best way, not just to deal with crisis but to prevent it. However, governments remain sluggish in dealing with the commodification of housing and in providing broader health care. The fight continues.

“I see you.

Not as broken.

Not as gone.

But as hurting.

And still, miraculously, here.

You are not shame.

You are not failure.

You are a living archive of what was done to us.

And still, you are mine.

I claim you as kin.”

– I claim you (for the ones still using, still surviving)

Nomaan X works with the Saint John Community Coalition and contributes to the NB Media Co-op.