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Welcome to Floaters.org! Floaters.org is a grass-roots peer mentoring program that seeks to bring technology and connectivity to those who would not otherwise have access. Floaters Gallery has been in existence on the web since 1995. Originally sponsored by the Homeless Arts project, the gallery was first designed for the homeless/formerly homeless. In 1999, the Homeless Arts project and new co-sponsor Homeless People's Network, wishing to avoid labeling of artists, opened the gallery up to any artists. All artists are now invited to participate. Floaters Gallery functions much like a co-op. Artists selling work via the website are asked to return a percentage to Floaters, if they can afford it. The percentage is set at twenty percent of the profit, as determined by the artist. (Many galleries charge twenty percent of the price, which would work out to a much larger sum.) The money is then used 1) for gallery and peer mentoring; 2) as an emergency fund for the homeless/formerly homeless; and 3) as a fund to benefit all members. The Floaters peer mentoring program is a uniquely designed program in which people receive computers, software, and upgrades as needed. After seven years of experimenting, the group is now actively seeking funding so that our more successful ideas can be implemented on a larger scale. Floaters also seeks to provide ways for members to sell their art, advertise their skills, and work with the Floaters group on web design projects. What else is a floater? Many things float! Bubbles, balloons, and clouds float in the air. Ships, tubes, and sticks float in water. In the collection below, Floaters researcher and artist Barbara Wright shares her ideas.
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