EXTERNAL PRESS RELEASE

TORONTO–October 7, 2014–In observance of World Homeless Day, October 10th, the world-renowned Canadian sculptor, Tim Schmalz, is making available miniatures of his controversial “Homeless Jesus” statue to religious education classrooms around the globe.

The work of art has generated vastly different reactions, from the woman in North Carolina who called the police to report a homeless person asleep on a bench in her posh neighborhood, to Pope Francis himself, who blessed and praised the work at the Vatican last year on being presented the life-size sculpture by the artist.

The city of Rome will be installing the ‘Homeless Jesus’ this fall at the base of Via della Conciliazione, the road that leads to St. Peter’s Basilica; yet, one of the more famous churches in London, England, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, a church celebrated for its work with the homeless, refused the statue.

“I can see this work being used as a teaching tool for sensitizing our young people to the problem of homelessness, while at the same time involving them in the global debate, about whether or not they think this is an appropriate depiction of Jesus.

“As Pope Francis was blessing my sculpture, I saw that gesture being so symbolic of how the Holy Father is reaching out to the most broken among us, and reminding us with that gesture that our homeless brothers and sisters are sacred, too,” Tim said.

The miniature version is made of a resin stone with a bronze finish on a black base. It measures 10 inches long, five inches high and three inches deep.

The desk top “Homeless Jesus” retails for $59.99 and can be ordered by going to: http://www.sculpturebytps.com/miniature-sculptures/christian-collection/small-religious-statues-homeless-jesus-2/

“These miniatures can also provide an excellent opportunity to raise funds for any local programs or homeless shelters in your area,” Tim said.

To find out more about the “Homeless Jesus in the Classroom” initiative (i.e. discount pricing for fundraising, multiple orders, shipping & handling, etc.), call Linda Bugarsky or Tony Frey at 1-800-590-3264.
They can also reached by email at linda@sculpturebytps.com with any questions you might have.