The Bridge Emergency Shelter is encouraging the public to attend the Faces of Folk fundraiser on May 2 at the KSJD Sunflower Theater.

The inaugural event was organized to reveal the human story of local homeless people through art and first-person narrative, said bridge director Laurie Knutson.

"People don't realize they are completely like you and I, except they have no place to live," Knutson said. "We're on a mission to fit them into the community."

The shelter teamed up with artist Bronwyn Strickland to paint portraits of the homeless, but with a twist.

"I didn't want to do just a likeness, I wanted to get to know them and learn their dreams. Then I incorporated those dreams around the portrait using multimedia techniques," Strickland said.

Strickland regularly met with homeless people at the shelter and eventually received permission from four of them to create an individual painting based on their image and life ambition.

"I was anxious at first, but it quickly passed, and I felt really comfortable when we met and shared our stories," Strickland said. "Rather than look away, I wanted them to know that we see them, that they are our equal and a part of our community."

She will unveil the artwork at the Face of Folk fundraiser while a first-person account from the person is read.

For months, Knutson has been encouraging shelter clients to write down their life stories. The exercise is therapeutic for the writer, and reveals the interesting backstory - the good times and the hardships - of a local citizen.

"We will be sharing eight of those personal stories with the community, both visually and verbally," Knutson said.

After the event, the portraits will go on tour, and be displayed in the businesses of local sponsors. Then the artwork will be permanently showcased at the shelter as a reminder of the personalities and interesting histories of those who have experienced Cortez hospitality at the shelter.

Faces of Folk takes place on May 2 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the KSJD Sunflower Theater, 8 E. Main St. In addition to the presentations, there will be live folk music, drinks, and great food from local restaurants.

Tickets are $50 and available at The Bridge Shelter and Town and Country Furnishings. Call (970) 565-9808 for more information.