‘Mixed Concrete’ art show helps build Habitat for Humanity homes

This weekend, art will help build homes.

“Mixed Concrete,” an art show and silent auction taking place today and Saturday at TRU Deli + Wine, aims to raise money to build houses for families like Quiana Phillips and her two daughters.

Phillips is a UNC Campus Health employee, and she and her daughters, ages 3 and 14, are recipients of a Habitat for Humanity house.

“It means a lot to me, for them to have their artwork and use their talents to help me and my family get into our home,” she said.

Senior Emily Lucas, UNC Habitat for Humanity co-chairwoman, said Mixed Concrete aims to give back to the community.

“All the art is from UNC students, all the money is staying in Chapel Hill, and we’re also trying to connect with local businesses, like TRU,” Lucas said.

The donations will go toward building and improving community homes, as well as helping to launch “A Brush with Kindness” — a home repair program.

Habitat hosted its first Mixed Concrete show last year.

The name alludes to the action of mixing concrete for a home and also represents the diversity of the artists and their mediums.

Thirty-five UNC student artists have donated almost 100 pieces of work in various mediums. For some students, this is the first time their art is being displayed.

“This will hopefully bring together very different groups of people and accomplish something that’s rather impressive,” said junior Burgess Robinson, co-chairman of UNC Habitat for Humanity.

Scott Magness, one of TRU’s owners, said that he is excited to partner with Habitat and that TRU will continue to hang artwork after this weekend.

“I’m excited for people to get some good art, to socialize and to give to a good cause,” he said.

Lucas said she wants people to come admire the art, even if they don’t buy anything.

“We’ve talked to the owners about reaching fire capacity,” she said. “I would love for that to be a problem.”

Phillips said she and her daughters are looking forward to attending their first art show — and they are also excited to move into their new home this March.

“It’s wonderful, and it’s amazing,” she said. “I’m grateful that they’re doing this.”

Phillips said she would not have had a chance to own a house without Habitat’s help.

“Yeah, maybe a cardboard house,” Phillips said. “But to build a house, a real, livable house, that’s where the shock comes in — wow, you know, this is my house.”

Contact the desk editor at arts@dailytarheel.com.