Update from Art with a Heart |
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With a new year underway, it's natural for us to look ahead and plan for the future, to grow our lives into the version we wish them to be. In order to assess where we’re headed, we must first know where we’ve been. In the last two years, we've lived quite differently than we used to. We’ve been forced to adapt to new norms, see loved ones less than we'd like, postpone big events, and take more caution when it comes to how we connect, gather, laugh, and hug. We've had to adjust the way we work: fewer colleagues together, more hours working from home, and increased isolation. To say that these challenges have been an obstacle would be an understatement. Yet, these challenges did present opportunities.
As the Program Coordinator at Art with a Heart, I have seen firsthand how resilient people can be in the midst of hardship. Since March of 2020, we've watched our student populations pivot to virtual instruction in order to stay connected. The thirst for connection during the pandemic was the driving force behind the 12,000 HeARTboxes that the programming team coordinated, packed (with the help of community members, volunteers, students and staff) and sent to partnering sites. Engaging students with creative lessons and materials they would not otherwise have access to, establishing new routines as a team, and continuing to provide the care and support in the virtual realm
, all became part of our new programming norms. The immense work required of the Art with a Heart team to assemble and deliver kits to partners across Baltimore was met with determination and ingenuity instead of defeat.
This is growth — taking all the experiences from a difficult situation and utilizing them to make a positive change for the future. With the lessons learned from the isolation and distance of the pandemic, I am personally looking forward to coming together with others: doing a favorite hobby with a loved one, sending a small gift that reminds you of the recipient, or even just a short phone call or text to a friend to laugh about the day. My goal for the year ahead is to improve how I connect with others; to make sure those around me feel they are seen, heard, and loved. So this year, after so much isolation and uncertainty, I challenge you to think about how you are going to make sure that those around you feel connected and loved.
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Jake Parchem,
Program Coordinator
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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 Celebrate the First Snow!! |
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With the excitement of the first snow, students in Art with a Heart classes explored snowy concepts in different art mediums! Art with a Heart students in the Child First Authority program at Hilton Elementary made snowmen using painted shims, markers, fabrics, and buttons! It's all about the hats and scarves! The students in Art with a Heart's class at Thomas Johnson Elementary Middle practiced using tempera cakes to create a snow themed resist painting!
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Creativity with Cardboard |
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Participants in Art with a Heart's weekly classes at Atrium Village enjoyed innovating with cardboard and other up-cycled materials to create collagraph printing plates. Collagraphy is a versatile printing process in which a textured plate is inked and pressed onto paper. The different textures and materials hold varying amounts of ink and print different tones. An interesting and fun class for all!
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Princesses Never Forget their Crowns! |
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Art with a Heart students in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades at the Belair Edison School welcomed the new year and winter weather by learning about and creating adorable penguins! The project allowed students to practice drawing and cutting shapes: a capital "D" for the body and a smaller one for the stomach, circles for the eyes (or hearts!), a triangle beak, and rectangles or triangles for feet! These two princesses practiced even more complex shapes by including crowns for their penguins (and penguin side kicks)!
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First graders in the Art with a Heart classes at James McHenry Elementary Middle School gather round their teachers for project demonstrations. We love to see our young artists' engaged in learning all the possibilities of creating art.
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Community Service and Public Art |
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Art with a Heart volunteers along with students from the Johns Hopkins Hop-In Program and the FLI Network completed and installed two beautiful shim mirror sculptures for the Hop-In office. The design was created by students using prompts written in five different languages and inspired pieces that reflect personal identity. The mirrors not only beautify the Hop-In office space but also offer an opportunity for viewers to engage and learn about their peers. Thank you to Johns Hopkins Hop-In Program for the opportunity to create such meaningful work. Check out the amazing results below!
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During the month of January, Art with a Heart's service opportunities transitioned to virtual programming to keep everyone safe and healthy. Art with a Heart is grateful for the time and talent of the following January service groups who were able to help the organization move its efforts forward despite not being together in the same space: Friends School of Baltimore, Girl Scout Troop 5394 of Central Maryland and Art with Heart's volunteer corp!
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Learning about Disability, Ableism and Inclusivity |
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For the first session of 2022, Art of Leadership students discussed disability and ableism, explored inclusive frameworks for looking at disability and improving social design, and developed strategies to promote productive conversations. Students heard firsthand stories and experiences from the staff and volunteers at the National Federation of the Blind, an outstanding advocacy organization and community headquartered here in Baltimore. Our guests stressed the importance of recognizing every individual's humanity - not treating blindness or any disability as a defining characteristic - and how much society has to gain by cultivating inclusivity and fighting discrimination in all forms.
Below: students envisioned their ideal communities with accessibility in mind
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All Things Valentine's Day |
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Valentine's Day is just around the corner! Along with our new "Wine" Down This Valentine's Day Kit (featured above), HeARTwares has plenty of one-of-a kind gift ideas for the holiday! From replicas of the Heart of Baltimore, to ceramic jewelry, and puzzles there is something for everyone. Shop in person or online here.
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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.
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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