New Community West Foundation Sculptures Lift Social Justice Dialogue

Five Additional Sculptures by Creator of Homeless Jesus to Debut Throughout the Community in Coming Months

Community West Foundation is pleased to announce it has worked to expand important conversations around issues of social justice, privilege, compassion and empathy with the acquisition of five artworks created by Canadian artist, Timothy Schmalz.

One of these permanent sculpture installations is the famed Homeless Jesus piece which will replace the replica statue the Foundation has been traveling around Cleveland since 2017. In October of 2020, the Homeless Jesus replica was situated on the grounds of Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church in Bay Village in a location facing Bradley Road Park. Shortly after its arrival, community reaction sparked significant public dialogue, along with a flurry of local and national media attention.

With this in mind, Community West Foundation intends to expand this important conversation and dialogue with the acquisition of five of the six artworks in the Mathew 25 Collection created by Schmalz. The sixth artwork, When I was Hungry and Thirsty, was acquired several years ago by Old Stone Church and is installed in front of the church on Public Square, in downtown Cleveland.

“This art is not only a visual representation of our mission, but it also depicts basic human rights,” commented Marty Uhle, Community West Foundation President and CEO. “We are eager to continue the conversation through this public art.”

The remarkable sculptures are cast in bronze and life-sized making them an experience to see. “I strive to create artwork that connects with viewers through design and details that touch them on an emotional level, allowing them to feel somewhat a ‘part’ of the piece,” Timothy Schmalz stated. Cleveland will be only the second city in the world, following Rome, Italy, to have the full collection of all six bronze figures in the Matthew 25 Collection.

The Community West Foundation worked with local nonprofit LAND studio to design a master plan for the installation of the five sculptures throughout the community, which are to debut over the next few months:

Statue:	Location:	Delivery:	Installation:	Unveiling:
Homeless Jesus	Saint Malachi Parish	August	September	TBD
When I Was Sick	Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital	September	TBD	TBD
When I Was in Prison	Bridge CLE (formerly known as Family Ministry Center)	June	June 28	September 16
When I Was a Stranger	The Refugee Response at Urban Community School	September	TBD	TBD
When I Was Naked	Malachi House	September	September	September 25
When I Was Hungry and Thirsty	Old Stone Church		Installed already

Community West Foundation raised the funding to purchase the artwork. “We are grateful to our Board of Directors and other donors that contributed financially to this project,” said Uhle. “The life-span of this artwork is 200+ years. We are hopeful this collection will continue to communicate the importance of social justice for generations to come.”

Artwork Details

These life-sized bronze sculptures are three dimensional. The original sculpture was made from clay at Schmalz’s home, and from that he made a rubber mold. He uses the services of a foundry to make the bronze casts.

• Homeless Jesus depicts the basic need for shelter and raises awareness of the homeless population in our community in need of care and compassion. Dimension: 36”H x 84”W x 24”D – Approx. 600 lbs. – 2459 Washington Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
• When I Was Sick is representative of not just physical illness. This powerful piece shows the many ways illness can affect people including mental health, addiction, disability and abuse. Dimensions: 39”H x 78”L x 38”D – Approx. 200 lbs. – 1730 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113
• When I Was in Prison portrays the loneliness of people who are incarcerated and the struggles they face upon reentry into our society. Dimensions: 27”H x 23”W x 7.5”D – Approx. 75 lbs. (Sculpture only); Pedestal dimensions: 42”H x 29”W x 13”D – Approx. 1,300 lbs. – 3389 Fulton Road, Cleveland, OH 44109
• When I Was a Stranger urges us to understand the difficulty immigrants face when entering a new country. Newcomers need compassion, acceptance and patience. Dimensions: 42” H x 23” W x 39” D – Approx. 300 lbs. (Sculpture only) – 4909 Lorain Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44109
• When I Was Naked illustrates the vulnerability of the poor and those who live without their basic needs being met. Dimensions: 24”H x 36”W x 36”D – Approx. 200 lbs. (Sculpture only) – 2810 Clinton Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113
• When I Was Hungry and Thirsty portrays the desperation and hopelessness that those who are starving experience. – 91 Public Square, Cleveland, OH 44113

About Community West Foundation:

Community West Foundation raised the funding to purchase the artwork. “We are grateful to our Board of Directors and other donors that contributed financially to this project,” said Uhle. “The life-span of this artwork is 200+ years. We are hopeful this collection will continue to communicate the importance of social justice for generations to come.” The Community West Foundation worked with local nonprofit LAND studio to design a master plan for the installation of the five sculptures throughout the community, which are to debut over the next few months:

Community West Foundation is dedicated to supporting organizations that provide the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, and medical care in the greater Cleveland area. Originally known as the Fairview/Lutheran Foundation, Community West has been supporting these Cleveland Clinic hospitals as well as many community non-profit agencies through grantmaking since 1997. Under the guidance of the Board of Directors, Community West has grown its giving exponentially over the past 20 years. In 2020, Community West distributed $7.4 million in grants.

The mission of Community West Foundation is to advance the health and well-being of our community. The staff and Board of Directors are guided by the words in Matthew 25:35-40. While their mission is based on these teachings, they are not affiliated with any particular religion. Their grantees, friends and donors come from diverse faiths and practices.

For more information, contact Community West Foundation at 440-360-7370 or visit communitywestfoundation.org.

About LAND studio:

LAND studio is celebrating its 10th year of connecting Cleveland communities through vibrant public art and public spaces. Created in 2011, through the merger of nonprofit organizations ParkWorks and Cleveland Public Art, LAND’s portfolio has included the redevelopment of great civic spaces including Public Square and Perk Park downtown, the commissioning of dozens of though-provoking public art installations, and the execution of hundreds of community events in Cleveland’s neighborhood parks. LAND studio expands opportunities for public art investments and seeks ways for its work to reflect Cleveland’s diverse neighborhoods. As dialogue related to racial equity and inclusion continues to evolve in society, LAND studio is committed to creating and maintaining opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, gender, ability, or the community in which they live.

About the Saint Malachi Parish Location:

Located on Washington Ave. just across the Superior Bridge on the near west side of downtown Cleveland, Saint Malachi Parish is a part of the Catholic Diocese. Their mission states they are Eucharistic People, United in Prayer, Welcoming to All and Serving the Poor.

About the Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital location:

Located on West 25th Street in Ohio City, Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital’s mission is caring for life, researching for health, and educating those who serve.

About Bridge CLE (formerly known as Family Ministry Center) location:

Located on Fulton Road, Bridge CLE (formerly known as Family Ministry Center) is fostering connections to help the city flourish. They facilitate relationship building and cooperative action between people who are separated by social obstacles. A ministry of Bay Presbyterian Church, Bridge CLE is building bridges between people with different ethnic and racial identities, the city and the suburbs, resourced and under-resourced people, and people of faith and people of good will.

About The Refugee Response location:

The Refugee Response’s new headquarters will be located on the campus of Urban Community School on the near west side. The Refugee Response empowers resettled families to grow roots, supporting them in becoming engaged, self-sufficient and contributing members of their new communities. They believe that kindness is transformative and they keep this belief at the heart of all they do.

About Malachi House location:

Located on Clinton Avenue in Ohio City, Malachi House was created out of a Christian sense of ministry, serving people who are terminally ill, without regard to gender, race, religion, or national origin and without cost to the resident or family. This home ministers to individuals who need an available caregiver, who have limited or no financial resources and are in need of special home care in the final stages of life.

About Old Stone Church location:

Located in downtown Cleveland, Old Stone Church occupies the oldest building on Public Square and has played a pivotal role in Cleveland’s ongoing evolution. Their mission is Loving Christ, Serving City – spiritually, culturally, socially – since 1820.