Student Jeremy Green’s eyes light up as he describes The Oklahoma City Starving Artist Coalition, an organization he has founded to help struggling local artists.

The coalition helps artists become known by organizing art shows and also helps artists who cannot afford supplies get paint and other materials.

“I wanted to teach people how to embrace their creative essences and start a cyclical process where they touch other people’s lives,” Green said.

The coalition, formed Sept. 1, already has more than 30 members. Green said it represents artists from many genres including painting, sculpture, clothing and mixed media.

“There are so many people with creative energy who don’t know how to get it out,” he said. “In a year’s time I see us as a fully operational non-profit organization with our own classrooms, offices, and gallery space.”

Green said one of the biggest challenges faced by emerging artists is purchasing costly art supplies.

“If you want to do it right, then supplies are expensive.”

Green said art is something everyone can appreciate.

“Eckhart Tolle once said: ‘The first time man was inspired was when he first saw flowers,’” Green said. “The essence of love is spread through art and it touches people whether they know it or not.”

The coalition has partnered with several local galleries including DNA Galleries and The Velvet Monkey Salon and Gallery, both in the plaza district, Green said.

The coalition also has an upcoming show in January at Salon Endeavor for the member who recruits the most new members under 18.

The Oklahoma City Starving Artist Coalition also will have an art show at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at The Velvet Monkey Salon in The Plaza, 1701 NW 16th St. The show will showcase 25 member artists. Proceeds will go toward the coalition’s legal filing for non-profit 501C status.

For more information, visit the Oklahoma City Starving Artist Coalition on Facebook.