Artist William Kosman will contribute his proceeds from the exhibition "Hope For The Homeless" to the Bethesda Project.

Philadelphia painter William Kosman will exhibit 23 paintings of Philadelphia and Normandy, France, in the exhibit “Hope for the Homeless". This exhibit will be up in November, at the RoxArt Gallery, located at 6120 Ridge Avenue, with an opening reception on Friday, November 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and weekday hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Kosman will contribute all his proceeds from the exhibit to Bethesda Project, a Philadelphia homeless services nonprofit that has provided support, shelter and housing for thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness since 1979. 

In the past, Kosman has donated paintings to raise money for the Alliance Francaise of Philadelphia, the French International School of Philadelphia, and the North City Congress. The contribution to the North City Congress also included the works of seven other artists, in a program sponsored by the Philadelphia Sketch Club.

“I’m surely not alone as an artist to use my art to do good for community causes, and I salute other artists who do the same thing."

“I’m surely not alone as an artist to use my art to do good for community causes,” said Kosman, “and I salute other artists who do the same thing. I’m constantly struck by how wonderful it is that art can give people pleasure, expand their ideas and support those in need.”

“It is such a gift for us to get involved with an artist like Bill,” remarks Tina Pagotto, Bethesda Project CEO. “At Bethesda Project, we feel that homelessness is a community issue, and community issues require community responses. Bill Kosman is a wonderful example of someone who is using what he has to support the vulnerable populations around him while raising awareness for an area of need in our city. We are so grateful for this new partnership!”

For the most part, Kosman’s brightly-colored oils on canvas represent the streets and people of Philadelphia, and the fields, roadways and beaches of Normandy. The “Hope for the Homeless” exhibit also includes several large works from his “Hope at K and A” (Kensington and Allegheny) series.

“MRAC welcomes the opportunity to partner with Bethesda Project through the generous initiative of Bill Kosman, one of our talented visual artists,” says Ron Howard, President of the MRAC. “We look forward to a successful fundraising event that will both recognize and benefit the homeless.”

“While I don’t label my paintings ‘theme paintings,’ I want my work to reflect the beauty of nature,” Kosman reflects. “The Normandy landscapes and the urban scenes show just how well people of all ethnic groups can get along and be enriched each other’s lives.”  

 About William Kosman: William Kosman has exhibited in several Philadelphia venues, including the Show of Hands gallery, the Alliance Francaise, the Woodmere Art Museum, the former ArtWorks at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Sketch Club and the Old City Jewish Art Center. His works grace the homes of families on the East and West coasts of the United States and in France. Kosman also creates rap videos that utilize his paintings. Among many courses and workshops, Kosman studied at the Art Students’ League in New York, the Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia, and with Jean-Marie Creuseau, in Fresnes, France.  Kosman has received recognition for his work. From the Fleisher Art Memorial he received, among other awards the coveted Fred and Naomi Hazell Award for both 2006 and 2007. And he was granted membership in La Confrerie des Chivaliers de la Baleine (The Fraternity of the Knights of the Whale) from the city Luc-sur-Mer, France, for his promotion of the beauty of France’s Cote de Nacre through his paintings and the city’s art competition “Luc en Peinture.” Kosman’s work can be viewed at www.williamkosman.com.

About Bethesda Project: Since 1979, Bethesda Project has been providing emergency shelter, housing and supportive services for thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia. By offering a home and safe environment at each of its 14 sites throughout the city, men and women experiencing homelessness can stabilize and regain their dignity and self-worth. From outreach and shelters to permanent housing and supportive services, its locations create a Housing First continuum of care for Philadelphia’s chronically homeless. At Bethesda Project, caregivers meet men and women where they are, providing case management to help them achieve their highest personal potential. Now, 39 years since its inception, Bethesda Project remains committed to its initial calling — to find and care for the abandoned poor and to be family with those who have none. To learn more, go to www.bethesdaproject.org 

About the Manayunk Roxborough Art Center: Our mission is to develop an appreciation of the arts, literary expression and related cultural endeavors. We are committed to revealing and fostering the visual, spoken and performance arts in both the local and regional communities. Our goal is to provide a meeting place for the artistic community and to connect those engaged in creative endeavors with one another and the general public. Our vision statement is, ‘Artists bringing people together.” The Manayunk Roxborough Art Center is supported in part by a grant from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund.