Ta-coumba, a Twin Cities artist-activist for 25 years, has served as curator for the African-American Cultural Arts Center and Intermedia Arts, is currently on the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and the Science Museum of Minnesota Advisory Committee, and is president of the St. Paul Art Collective. He has created over 75 works of public art, including a painting of Snoopy for the recent St. Paul celebration honoring native son Charles Schultz.

Artist's Statement As the artist consultant to this exhibition, I believe we should all explore a subject that concerns everyone-home sweet home. By creating works that illuminate the concerns of the Family Housing Fund, we can help draw attention to the great need for affordable housing in our area. Theresa Smith, Russell Hamilton, and I have worked with children living in affordable housing to create artwork that tells powerful stories of the importance of home.

The images that you see in Home is Where the Heart Is? are from the children of New Foundations Supportive Housing. The images show the children's hopes, dreams, and realities of home. I would like to especially thank Shawna Nelsen Tobechukwu, project coordinator, and the rest of the Family Housing Fund staff for giving me the opportunity to work on this important exhibition. I applaud the Family Housing Fund for recognizing that art can enlighten and change our society.

Visual Art | Ta-coumba Aiken