News Summary
Huntington Beach artist Chapman Hamborg used a misunderstanding involving a police response to raise awareness about homelessness. After being mistakenly reported as homeless while out with his daughter, he turned the incident into an advocacy campaign. Hamborg is selling prints of his painting ‘Unseen Paths’ to support initiatives combating homelessness in Orange County. He and a community partner will host events to further discuss this pressing issue as residents express concern about rising homelessness in the area.
Huntington Beach Raises Awareness on Homelessness
Huntington Beach artist Chapman Hamborg has transformed a misunderstanding involving a police response into a significant awareness campaign addressing homelessness. Last month, while walking with his infant daughter, Hamborg was mistakenly reported as homeless by a concerned neighbor.
The incident unfolded on Good Friday, when Hamborg, dressed in worn clothes and sporting long hair in a bun, ventured out to provide his wife, Hannah, a break. His attire, including one slipper that had a hole in it, raised concerns that led the neighbor to call law enforcement. Police arrived at the scene and requested Hamborg’s identification. Shocked by the situation, he posted a video on social media explaining the misunderstanding while he searched for his ID. The video quickly went viral, amassing nearly 2 million likes and over 32,000 comments on Instagram.
Using the Incident to Combat Homelessness
In light of the incident, Hamborg decided to turn this unfortunate misunderstanding into a broader conversation on homelessness. He is selling limited edition prints of his painting, “Unseen Paths,” which reflect the themes of the experience he encountered. To further his cause, Hamborg pledged that 20% of the proceeds from sales will go to support the Orange County United Way’s ongoing initiatives to combat homelessness.
The painting features invasive yellow mustard flowers in the background, adding a striking and darker undertone to the imagery. Hamborg indicated his aim is to merge the visuals of his artwork with real conversations surrounding the challenges faced by unhoused families. He is collaborating with Becks Heyhoe-Khalil, the executive director of the Orange County United Way’s United to End Homelessness initiative, to amplify the message.
Upcoming Events and Community Engagement
As part of his campaign, Hamborg and Heyhoe-Khalil are scheduled to participate in an upcoming event at the Orange County Museum of Art titled “Conversations with Artists” on June 4 at 4 p.m. The duo will also host a livestream event called “Art and Advocacy: A Studio Conversation with Chapman Hamborg” on June 21 at 9 a.m. to discuss the intersection of art and social issues.
Context of Homelessness in Orange County
The concern about homelessness is pervasive in Orange County, as indicated by a recent UCI-OC poll, which found that 71% of residents perceive homelessness as a serious issue. As of March, there were 410 families with 715 children experiencing homelessness in the region. Urgent measures are needed; emergency housing vouchers, implemented in 2021, are anticipated to deplete their funding next year, further complicating the situation.
Hamborg’s video portraying the misunderstanding inspired a notable reaction, with over two-thirds of more than 500,000 poll respondents stating they would not have perceived him as homeless based on his appearance. Although he understands the neighbor’s concern for safety, Hamborg highlights the intricate realities of homelessness and the nuances of parenting in those circumstances. This experience has attracted considerable media attention, including coverage from various outlets, positioning him as a prominent voice in the homelessness discourse.
Through his artistic endeavors, Hamborg aims to challenge the societal assumptions surrounding homelessness while spurring community dialogue and action to address the issue effectively. His initiative not only sheds light on the complexities of homelessness but also emphasizes the importance of understanding and compassion within the community.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Los Angeles: Just a Tired Dad
- LA Times: Huntington Beach Man Raises Homelessness Awareness
- Beach Grit: Woman Calls Police on Father
- CBS News: The Art of Water Marbling
- Orange County Register: Artist of the Year Semifinalists
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- Google Search: Homelessness Awareness Campaigns
- Google Scholar: Homelessness Awareness
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homelessness
- Google News: Homelessness Awareness Events
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
