Graffiti artist, former teacher shake up Polasek for homeless awareness

Former local middle school teacher Thomas Rebman set out on a mission in the summer of 2014, to become homeless. For three and a half months he woke up in a reality homeless people face every day – but without the security of a home awaiting their return.

“I had no idea the truth,” said Rebman, who lost 23 pounds in 33 days while on the streets. “I was in the military for 23 years. I would rather be at war for three days than I would be homeless for three days.”

Rebman’s journey led him to Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles, a neighborhood housing one of the largest homeless populations in the country. There he befriended graffiti artist Skid Robot, whose art depicting Skid Row’s homeless population has captured national attention. Now the pair have teamed up to show Orange County residents the faces of the homeless people they’re passing, and possibly ignoring, in their own neighborhoods.

“We need to notice that person when we walk by,” Rebman said. "We need empathy."

Skid Robot focused on four local, homeless individuals, chosen with Rebman’s assistance, in artwork that will be exhibited at the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens in Winter Park through September.

Skid works as an anonymous street artist, because of the illegality of his canvases, but also to keep the focus where he said he feels it belongs.

“By putting any emphasis on me, it takes away from what I’m doing.” Skid, said. “It doesn’t matter who I am. I’m just the messenger.”

Concealing his face with a bandana and sunglasses and breathing a constant stream of paint fumes strong enough to elicit health-concerned comments from those watching, Skid transforms blank metal slabs and droplets of paint into detailed works of art.

When painting on the streets, Skid faces the threat of police interference. If he works fast and doesn't get caught, his work only remains for a few days before it's painted over. Having a more permanent place to show his art is a new experience for him. His creations featured at the Polasek museum will be his first available for sale, with all profits directly benefitting the subjects of his art, through Rebman’s foundation Homeless and Hungry.

“What I’m excited about is how Skid’s art and his message is helping these local homeless people,” said Rachel Frisby, curator for the Polasek museum. “It’s really about art connecting and sharing these stories, and the power of that.”

One of the exhibits, “Hero No More,” tells the story of Vietnam veteran, Daniel, who Rebman befriended when he was homeless. After trying to get off the streets for nearly eight years, Daniel is now living in an apartment. But he wouldn’t be where he is today without the help of his friends.

“I didn’t want to be homeless. I just needed the encouragement,” Daniel said. “After a while, I realized people did care about me. I am somebody.”

In 2014, there were 1,700 homeless people in Orange County, according to a point-in-time count conducted by the Department of Children and Families. Rebman said that every Winter Park resident has the ability to help change this, by simply not forgetting their humanity.

“Treat homeless people like they’re people,” Rebman said. “The way you help them the most is not with money, not by bringing them food. It’s by being their friend, by helping them to navigate the system to get out of homelessness.”

Skid Robot toiled for three hours straight in the Polasek’s gardens, creating “Hero No More” in front of a live audience, including Daniel.

“The conventional methods just aren’t working anymore. We need to make some noise,” Skid said before the crowd, a spray paint bottle rattling in his hand.