Artwork expands tradition of giving

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Margaret Moffett Banks - News & Record - November 28, 2003

GREENSBORO, NC - Local artist William Mangum's latest work of
art is prettier than a snow-covered yard, more generous than
a mailman slogging through wet snow and bigger than just one
painting.

That's because this "work of art" really is a fund-raising
franchise, one that will help homeless people across North
Carolina.

Want a card?
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The honor cards, which benefit Greensboro Urban
Ministry, are available at the following locations: Wachovia
bank branches, Greensboro Urban Ministry, Barnes & Noble
Booksellers, Leon's beauty salons and the Mangum Art
Gallery.

For years, Mangum has crafted a special painting that is
reproduced on "honor cards," which local residents can buy
for a $5 minimum donation. All the proceeds support
Greensboro Urban Ministry, which has received more than $1
million during the project's 14-year history.

This year, Mangum is taking the tradition statewide. Armed
with a $50,000 donation from Wachovia, Mangum is offering
the same cards in six more North Carolina cities: Asheville,
Burlington, Durham, Fayetteville, Greenville and Raleigh.

Wachovia's gift was enough to print 50,000 cards, which will
be divided between Greensboro and the other cities. Seven
agencies that serve the poor and homeless, including
Greensboro Urban Ministry, will keep every dime the cards
bring in.

Mangum said that could be as much as $250,000, if the cards
are a sell-out. If the project is a hit, Mangum said he will
double the number of cities selected to distribute the cards
next year.

That means a half-dozen additional agencies will get extra
money for the holidays.

"It's been a tremendous vehicle for Urban Ministry to raise
awareness for the plight of the needy," he said. "Hopefully
over time, each one of these new communities will grow with
it."

The painting, "Hopeful Journey," reflects the trademark
Mangum style: homey and serene, yet elegant. It depicts a
snowy day in a upscale-but-urban neighborhood -- for the
first time, a neighborhood that's not in Greensboro.

Mangum used a quiet street in Raleigh's Historic Oakwood
neighborhood, home to the Governor's Mansion -- where Mangum
will meet with first lady Mary Easley for an unveiling of
"Hopeful Journey" in December.

In the painting, a wet, fluffy snow makes the street look
clean and bright, the air moist and bitterly cold. In the
distance, a man with a mail sack slung over his shoulder
trudges down the sidewalk.

Mangum doesn't just use his art to help the homeless. At 6
a.m. every Wednesday, Mangum shows up to serve breakfast to
the homeless, said the Rev. Mike Aiken, executive director
of Greensboro Urban Ministry.

This franchising effort just proves that Mangum has come
through for the homeless yet again, Aiken said.

"Not only does it help us raise money," he said, "it
promotes a positive image of helping the homeless."

Nonprofits in the six other cities are thrilled with the
unexpected gift. The Rev. Scott Rogers, executive director
of the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, said
the proceeds will provide a meaningful financial boost -- at
least $12,500 if they sell all the cards.

Buncombe County, like Guilford, has experienced significant
unemployment in the past year. Rogers said the homeless
population grew by 20 percent in 2003. Mangum's gift will
boost the ministry's bank account, Rogers said, and boost
the morale of his homeless clients.

"They're honored that the community is taking this level of
interest," he said.

Contact Margaret Moffett Banks at 373-7031 or
mbanks@...

News & Record source page: http://tinyurl.com/x58s
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