Update from Art with a Heart |
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"Our Resolve Does Not Waver." |
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February was short but sweet! Art with a Heart’s family of volunteers and interns were welcomed back to the office this month and which many warm reunions and no shortage of treats. And for everyone at Art with a Heart, February’s trademark highlights don’t end on the 28th: honoring Black History and diversity - from celebrating Black artists and culture in the classroom to encouraging challenging discourse about history and racism in the Art of Leadership program - is integral to our organization’s mission and strength year-round. Also, befittingly, we are always surrounded by hearts; made-with-love ceramics and jewelry in HeARTwares, vibrant mosaic and clay replicas of the Heart of Baltimore, and the biggest of all, the real hearts of our dedicated volunteers, interns, Board members, teachers, students, and staff!
In addition, February is an exciting time of year for the Art of Leadership program, as we are recruiting Baltimore-area students for the next class of leaders, the 8th Art of Leadership Cohort. Students presently in Cohort 7, now six months into their time together, communicate with passion and vulnerability, problem-solve with ingenuity, and laugh with abandon! The strength of their connection and the progress the leaders have made as individuals and as a team are evident. Any current 9th and 10th-grade students ready to take up this torch, to build an authentic and diverse community, experience Baltimore, discuss social justice issues, and develop leadership skills, are welcome to apply here through Friday, March 11th.
February can be a time when New Year’s resolutions fall to the wayside. But this is one feature of February that does not resonate at Art with a Heart - our resolve does not waver. Art with a Heart's resolve is to grow and create, to serve our communities better, engage more young leaders, and cherish our relationships. Love is a propulsive force, and our momentum never slows!
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Summer Claypoole,
Director of Leadership and Engagement
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Recruiting Art of Leadership Cohort 8 |
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The Art of Leadership Program is now accepting applications for Cohort 8! All 9th and 10th-grade students with an interest in developing leadership and advocacy skills, exploring social justice issues, and creating community with a diverse group of peers are encouraged to apply! You can find the application here. Deadline for applications is Friday, March 11, 2022.
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There are many ways to support Art with a Heart. Please consider a tax-deductible gift through one of the following giving methods:
Art with a Heart relies on the generous support of donors to meet our mission and we are grateful for each and every gift.
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Students in Art with a Heart's classes in the Child First Authority program at Hilton Elementary School learned about artist Jim Dine and his colorful, playful paintings. Inspired by his heart paintings, students practiced using watercolor resist techniques with oil pastels and created their own bright and colorful Valentine's Day hearts!
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Students in Art with a Heart's third grade classes at Lakeland Elementary Middle School practiced using their "severe seven simple shapes" to create paper shape robots. Students turned their artwork into valentines by utilizing shades of pink and red, and made sure their robots had a heart or even two!
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Helping Hands, Holding Hope |
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Participants in Art with a Heart's weekly class at the University of Maryland Community Engagement Center worked on hope-inspired hand collages. One student, whose work included large and small hands together, said that the larger size prints stood for her generation and the smaller ones, for the next generations to come. "Although there are differences in the ways of thinking, we all hold each other together." We couldn't agree more!
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Communicating with Culture and Pattern |
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To kick off Black History Month at Cherry Hill Elementary Middle School, long-time Art with a Heart teacher Knakia developed a lesson plan to teach students about the continent of Africa. Students learned that there are 54 countries in Africa and is home to 1.2 billion people - 16% of the world's population! Students also learned how patterns, images and symbols have been used for centuries in African, native and indigenous cultures to communicate stories, beliefs and even hidden messages. After creating an outline of the continent, students made their own art story with patterns and designs with a variety of different media.
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Students Get Creative to Beautify their School |
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Students in Art with a Heart's after-school art club at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School are working together to beautify the halls of their school. The first of three large-scale projects includes up-cycling wire spool wheels that are being painted with creative designs. The wheels will be incorporated into a mural to be installed this spring. Stay tuned for photos of the completed project.
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Community Service and Public Art |
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After Much Delay...A Heartfelt Gathering
After much delay due to the pandemic, the day finally arrived for board members, staff and community stakeholders to gather to celebrate the kick-off of the mosaic project for the University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus Outpatient Tower. The 17ft x 15ft mosaic will greet visitors as they walk into the lobby of the new tower. The design depicts the UMMC Midtown community and will include thousands of pieces of stained glass, mirror and hand-made ceramics. Art with a Heart is honored and proud to once again be collaborating with the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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This warm and welcoming project was completed in collaboration with the residents, staff and stakeholders of My Sister's Place. It honors the lives of the clients who were lost in the past year and offers a message of hope for those who now enter the space. The hand-painted flowers and butterflies were created with residents and staff along with support of many of Art with a Heart's dedicated volunteers and interns.
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Nourishing Curiosity by Celebrating Diverse Cultures |
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This month, Art of Leadership students discussed immigration in the U.S. from a historical perspective, tested their Civics knowledge on the U.S. Naturalization Test, and challenged preconceptions about unfamiliar cultures and practices.
The team welcomed guest speakers from China, Liberia, and Nigeria to share their experiences in immigrating to the U.S. One panelist works at HIAS, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, ensuring refugees and asylum seekers receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive. All of our guests inspired the group by sharing their adversities and successes, and encouraging the leaders to nourish their curiosity by celebrating diverse cultures.
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Entrepreneurs Enhancing their Skills through Art |
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This month, Art with a Heart launched a new and exciting collaboration with UEmpower of Maryland's The Food Project. Each week, these talented entrepreneurs will learn marketable skills for their own innovative businesses through art making. The cohort's first project is creating rowhouse planters for succulents and herbs, a perfect connection to the garden at The Food Project's outdoor community space. The participants mentioned that working with clay was "relaxing," "calming," and "therapeutic."
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Harlem Park Families Learn 3D Design! |
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Families in Art with a Heart's Design Studio class at Harlem Park Recreation Center are learning the basics of 3D design as a foundation to begin printing 3D products. Prior to working in modeling software, students are using orthographic projection to understand the difference between 2D and 3D and then building 3D shapes by decorating and figuring out how to piece together geometric nets. Math, art and community working together!
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Are you a young adult passionate about equitable access to arts education or know someone who is? Are you looking for a way to make a positive impact in the Baltimore community while having fun? Join the Art with a Heart Junior Board today! Through service, fundraising and advocacy, The Impressionists enjoy fun and interactive ways to give back while growing their professional community.
On March 11th, the Impressionists will be hosting a casual evening at Full Tilt Brewery. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Art with a Heart. Swing by, grab a drink, and enjoy some laid-back art activities.
Interested? Visit the Impressionists page on our website to learn about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities or email Julia Rodricks, Coordinator of External Affairs at julia@artwithaheart.net.
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3000 Falls Road | Mill No. 1 | Baltimore, MD 21211
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