Front Porch art galleries serve as bridge to greater community

Front Porch communities are often seen as their own societies, living and breathing entities that are self sufficient and independent from the world around them. However, these communities are intimately connected with the larger community around them, all in their own unique ways. St. Paul’s Towers residents in Oakland are heavily involved in community activism and local clean up efforts in their neighborhood. Vista del Monte residents in Santa Barbara welcome local community members into their fitness and aquatic center. There are examples of this across Front Porch.

Two spaces that provide unique and creative opportunities for engagement between Front Porch residents and the greater community are Ruth’s Table in San Francisco and Front Porch Gallery in Carlsbad.

Ruth’s Table, in the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District, is a part of Bethany Center, a CARING Housing Ministries community. CARING Housing Ministries is Front Porch’s affordable housing division. In 2009, renowned artist Ruth Asawa donated her dining table, constructed by her husband, architect Albert Lanier, to Bethany Center. The table, symbolic of social gathering, community and creativity, formed the start of an arts initiative called Ruth’s Table. Along with her gift came Ruth’s wish: for the table to serve as a gathering place for creativity. Ruth’s Table continues to strive to foster positive change through creative programming and build an environment where participatory arts are integral to life in our community.

Evan Johnson, program director at Ruth’s Table, works closely with artists and residents at Bethany Center to curate programming. Ruth’s Table’s exhibition this past spring, Radical Resilience, featured artists living with disabilities. It was planned carefully with Bill Bruckner, a resident of Bethany Center, who was elected to join Ruth’s Table as a member of the inaugural Artist Committee. Bill and his wife Vicky are regular attendees at Ruth’s Table events. Vicky reads poetry at the monthly writers potluck, and Bill has been hired to teach multiple workshops to the community. “As a working artist with a disability who has a studio in the Mission District, I am delighted and proud to be a part of Ruth’s Table because of its active commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and creativity! Ruth’s Table’s shows featuring artists who have both visible and hidden disabilities have had a wonderful positive impact throughout our community,” Bill shared.

On the other end of the state, Front Porch Gallery came into existence in 2002 with the mission to increase access to creative opportunities for residents, as well as older adults and adults with disabilities in the community, fostering creative expression and meaningful connections. Originally operating out of the Casa de Mañana property in La Jolla, and rotating through all ten communities, Steven Nossan, the director at the time, curated unique, creative art exhibits. In April of 2005, Front Porch Gallery became an official gallery, taking up residence at Carlsbad By The Sea. Just a block from the ocean, Front Porch Gallery is a diverse and creative hub contributing to the vibrant energy of Carlsbad Village.

In 2022, the mission of the Front Porch Gallery was updated to respond creatively to changing needs and used inspiration from Ruth’s Table when developing exhibits and creative programming. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the gallery, the focus was on the gallery’s core purpose to use creativity as a catalyst to enhance longevity and enjoyment of life for older adults by providing free programming to promote creative viewing, discussing, art making and collecting.

Programming at Front Porch Gallery is designed to encourage intergenerational crossover and opportunities for casual connection. The most popular program, Paper Craft Café, promotes creative engagement activities for residents, as well as the Carlsbad community. Participants enjoy meaningful connections while creating unique and engaging paper craft artworks. The pieces will be displayed in the gallery during a Gallery Take Over event in early 2025.

Cathy Carey, Front Porch Gallery Director, supports creative activities throughout the San Diego area in addition to her work onsite at the Gallery. She met Mary Lenox, a resident at Wesley Palms, while participating in an art panel at her community. Mary is an artist and poet who has since participated in multiple shows at the Gallery. “Front Porch Gallery created an environment where we can behold beautiful artistic expressions by talented artists and poets,” Mary said. “Front Porch Gallery’s leadership in the art community enriches us all as you expand knowledge about and access to the world of creativity — up close and personal.”

Originally published in the Fall 2024 issue of Community Matters