July 2026

Community Art and Service

The Community Art and Service team had a banner month, full of installations and engagements. The team installed 12 community art projects, including six Kennedy Krieger logo mosaics, three Kennedy Krieger butterflies, a Nurses' Week mosaic at Sinai Hospital, a mosaic bench in Rash Field Park, and a mixed-media collage at Lakeland Elementary Middle School.

Beyond installations, members of the Greater Randallstown community worked with staff at the summer's second Liberty Live concert to bring the Mother Earth sculpture one step closer to completion (pictured left). After each engagement, new mosaic pieces are added to the painted patchwork on her dress. Students at James McHenry Elementary/Middle School had the opportunity to assist in painting a mural generously sponsored by Constellation. The team also traveled to Cambridge, Maryland to work with campers aged three to 13 on four murals for the new Boys & Girls Club there. Campers learned about mosaics, ceramics, and community history while creating pieces that will beautify the space for years to come.

Art with a Heart’s core summer programs engaged over 830 young artists in hands-on creative projects - from colorful dinosaur puppets to mixed-media art - building skills and sparking imagination. Their artistic efforts culminated in five joyful showcases celebrated by the student families and the broader community.

At St. Francis Neighborhood Center's Peace Camp, youth collaborated on a vibrant peace sign tree installation symbolizing unity and hope. Older adult participants embraced their creativity and practiced fine motor skills while proudly weaving wall colorful hangings. And speaking of wall hangings, the team was thrilled to unveil a new portrait gallery at the Department of Human Services, created by youth in the Ready by 21 program. The beautiful portraits bring joy and a community connection to the Department's conference room.

In just five weeks of workforce programming SO MUCH has happened!! During July, 35 YouthWorks participants learned both job skills and hands-on art skills, creating everything from ceramics to mosaics, paintings to apparel design, buttons, lamps, and more! The HeARTworks students are looking forward to displaying and selling their work at Shop & Bop - July 31st from 5:00 - 7:30pm. We hope to see you there!

Beyond the art making, students grew in ways that will serve them well beyond this summer. In the final weeks of programming, HeARTworks students enjoyed a panel discussion with a variety of professionals about their work journeys, the lessons they learned, and the advice they would give to young adults beginning their careers. Panel guests ranged from tech designers to digital marketing experts to visual artists. The workforce students also got the chance to step outside the studio and into the community! As part of Field Trip Fridays, HeARTworks students visited the Baltimore Museum of Art.

As part of the HeARTworks program, Art with a Heart provides nutritious breakfast and lunch to all participants. We are grateful for the support of so many of Baltimore's local eateries who generously donated food for the student meals: THB Bagels - Owings Mills, Michele’s Granola, Gundalow Gourmet, Rouge Catering, Blue Pitt BBQ, Pepe’s, Amicci's (Little Italy), and The Charmery. Thank you!!!

Art with a Heart is grateful to those who shared their time and talent with the organization during July, including: Bridges/Bryn Mawr, Boys & Girls Club, Constellation, Jewish Connection Network, The ARC, Peabody Institute, UMBC, and Union Church.