April 2025

25th Anniversary Celebration Photos!

The wait is over – photos from Art with a Heart's 25th Anniversary Celebration are ready to share! Please visit this link to view ALL the photos, where you can download and save them at no charge. Were you there? Find yourself in the photos and share with your friends and family. Don't forget to tag us @artwithaheart_!

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and Art with a Heart could not be more grateful for its wonderful volunteers. These committed community members dedicate their time every week and assist with any task - no matter how big or small! On April 9th, Art with a Heart hosted a lunch for this special group who enjoyed a delicious meal and great company.

Pictured front and center is Art with a Heart's beloved volunteer, Lois Schlaffer who tragically passed away earlier this month. For over six years, Lois was a pillar of the Art with a Heart volunteer community. Known for her sharp wit, fiery personality, and red hair, she brought tremendous joy to everyone she met. We are grateful for the time we shared with her and are better people for having known her.

Save the Date: Art with a Heart ART SHOW!

Back by popular demand! Save the date for Art with a Heart's Art Show on Sunday, October 26th. The show will include artwork by Art with a Heart staff, volunteers, interns, teachers, and assistants. All art will be for sale and proceeds will benefit the participating artist and Art with a Heart. Hope you will join us!

Join the Impressionists!

Are you or someone you know looking for a fun and social volunteering opportunity? The Art with a Heart Impressionists are a group of young professionals (roughly ages 25-40 ) who meet on the fourth Thursday of each month. You don’t have to commit to coming every month, just come when you can and you will meet other people who are interested in art, helping others, and enjoy being together in a casual, social and impactful environment. No art experience necessary! Snacks and drinks provided. The next meetup is Thursday, May 22nd from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the Art with a Heart's main office - 3000 Falls Road in Mill No.1. To learn more, contact Amy Langrehr .

This spring programming flourished with creativity, as students engaged in new artistic adventures. At Calvin Rodwell Elementary/Middle School, student artists used watercolor techniques to create vibrant coffee filter flowers and made imaginative food portraits while learning about nutrition.

At the University of Maryland, Baltimore's Community Engagement Center, student artists were inspired by Aaron Douglas's bold silhouettes and geometric rhythms, producing mixed-media drawings that reflected his style and storytelling.

Meanwhile, students at William Paca Elementary visited the Creative Alliance to see their work in the 10x10 Exhibit and participated in a workshop to create "Healing Helpers," artful companions meant to provide comfort and joy.

Community Art and Service

Community Art and Service has thrived this spring! Staff and volunteers are excited about two new installations - a mosaic sculpture to be revealed in May in the Park Heights community and a playful hubcap mural with ceramic embellishments for The Green School. In addition, community members are finalizing a large-scale, mixed media mural (pictured below) for T. Rowe Price's new Harbor East location. Stay tuned for photos of the May reveals!

Check out the newest HeARTwares product - a vibrantly colored Art with a Heart short sleeved t-shirt! The letters were designed and colored by workforce students. The store has a variety of sizes so get yours today! These make a great gift for a graduate!

Here is a link to purchase yours today!!

In April, the HeARTworks team launched 'Workforce Wednesdays with the job program apprentices. The first session focused on professionalism in relaxed job settings, with additional sessions covering topics such as punctuality, effective communication, public speaking, resume writing, and team building.

Students from Baltimore Transition Connection and Project Search continued creating art to display and sell in HeARTwares and enjoyed assisting in sorting handcrafted flowers for the bouquet display. Students in the digital design program created personal logos and business cards, while exploring color theory, textures, and shapes.

Cohort 10 welcomed spring with an overnight retreat at NorthBay. The day was packed with adventure, including ropes courses, a giant swing, zip-lining, art-making, and beach volleyball. In the evening, the leaders gathered around the campfire and bonded with personal stories and lots of laughter.

The following weekend, students visited the American Visionary Art Museum. They explored themes of activism, including identity, representation, social justice, environmentalism, and mental health. It was a meaningful day and included a visit to Federal Hill Park to take in the stunning views of the Baltimore Inner Harbor.

Thank you Volunteers!

Art with a Heart received a lot of love from volunteers and service groups this month. Art with a Heart is grateful to those who shared their time and talent with the organization during April, including: BGE, Fox 45, TrueLife Health Services, 4Front, Garrison Forrest School, Jewish Connection Network, and Reading Partners.