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Q+A Rudy Ruttiman

Rating: NNNNN


THE EVENT Do Something With a Blundstone

Sketch, an art studio for homeless youth, holds a fundraising auction of boots decorated by local artists, with food, music and more. Friday (October 13), 5 pm. $15 adv. Steam Whistle Brewing (255 Bremner). 416-516-5428.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS LINE OF WORK ?

I left home at 15 and stayed on the streets for five years. But that was a different time. The lifestyle is so much faster now, the drugs are harder, and I don’t remember worrying about guns.

WHAT’S SKETCH’S CREDO ?

We try to see youth as equal contributors, as leaders, as citizens of the country. We want to give them options not everyone is going to be a 9-to-5er.

ARE ALL THE HOMELESS WHO COME TO YOU ARTISTIC?

No. Not at all. It’s not about being an artist – it’s the process of creation that we foster, speaking through a paintbrush.

WHY BLUNDSTONES?

They approached us. They’re a cutting-edge company and they fell in love with what we’re doing.

WHO ARE THE ARTISTS?

Hawksley Workman, Christina Zeidler, Rick Roberts and others. Pearl Jam promised, but they ran out of time. There are 50 pairs of boots, and some are done by Sketch people.

HOW WILL THEY BE SOLD?

Judges chose the top 10 for the live auction, and the rest will be silently auctioned. Prices will probably range from $75 to $800.

DO BUYERS WEAR THE BOOTS OR HANG THEM?

Some of the people who bought them last year wear them. But some of these creations have to hang on walls or sit on shelves. One of them is like a birdcage.

WHAT SHOULD THE CITY DO FOR HOMELESS YOUTH?

Even when young people get housing, they have a problem holding onto it. They need a community like the one they had on the street. They had people around, and a routine. But sometimes when they get housing they’re isolated. We don’t naturally create communities in this society.

WHAT SHOES DO YOU LIKE TO WEAR?

Blundstones. They are an awesome shoe. Pearl Jam say their roadies wear them all the time.

FAVOURITE SHOE STORE?

Payless. I have children, and on my salary it’s a good place to go.

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