November 2023

When was the last time you colored? Grab a crayon or marker and enjoy these beautifully illustrated images that were included in our annual mailing that we hope you have received. Please email Amy Legg at amy@artwithaheart.net if you have not received a coloring book and would like a copy.

The illustrations were inspired by Art with a Heart photo archives and drawn by Sudesna Samanta, an intern turned full-time Art with a Heart classroom assistant who graduated in May from MICA with a master's degree in illustration.

We hope this coloring book will inspire you to support Art with a Heart. By making a donation you are helping to provide equitable access to visual art and affirming that today's children can be a force of creative change, and that our communities can be centers of connection, wellbeing, beauty and pride.

Happenings!

Join us for our annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 9th from 2pm-5pm! We are excited to offer handcrafted gift items for holiday giving, while indulging in seasonal food provided by The Bluebird and Neopol and drinks provided by The Wine Source. Also, while you're shopping you can take a fun picture in our holiday photo booth!

Teambuilding at the Maryland Zoo!

Earlier this month, the Art with a Heart team enjoyed a fantastic, full-day retreat at the Maryland Zoo! Thank you to the zoo keepers who shared their passion for the animals through interactive experiences with macaws, penguins, rhinoceros, otters, goats, and donkeys! Thanks go out to our Executive Director, Randi Pupkin for this mid-week treat and to the Maryland Zoo for hosting us! .

In November, students of all ages in Art with a Heart's classes enjoyed learning many different painting and art techniques! At the University of Maryland Baltimore Community Engagement Center, the senior classes celebrated Dia de los Muertos by decorating sugar skulls with a variety of media. The monthly Chat & Paint class practiced new painting techniques inspired by Celestino Piatti. The residents at Edenwald Senior Living Community practiced acrylic painting with a collage project, while the middle school students in the Elev8 after-school program at Collington Square Elementary Middle School practiced watercolor painting. Art with a Heart's Education Coordinator, Jake Parchem, visited Hazelwood Elementary Middle School and got to see some of his former students from four years ago when he was an Art with a Heart teacher!

The HeARTwares crew has been busy prepping for the holiday season! HeARTwares will be open on Saturdays from 12pm to 5pm starting in December - 12/2, 12/9, 12/16, and 12/23 (for your last minute gifts).

And don't forget the Holiday Open House on December 9th from 2pm to 5pm- it's going to be a jolly good time!

Speaking of jolly times, the HeARTwares calendar is filled with birthday and holiday parties (see some party photos below of our friends from Autism Society and Itineris)! Need a beautiful and unique space for your next holiday party or a creative team-building activity for your staff? Contact Kristina Harlee at kristina@artwithaheart.net.

If you are unable to make it into our store, visit HeARTwares online for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts!

Special Projects

During the month of November, Art with a Heart engaged students at Holabird Academy in a mural residency. Students collaborated on painting a large mural that spanned multiple panels. Art with a Heart intern Kate Kuc put down preliminary marks in white to create an agricultural scene, and eighth grade students interpreted the scene by creating and adding vibrant colors and faithfully rendering each mark, readying the piece for pending installation in the school's community garden.

Also, during November, the team assembled and installed a ceramic mural created by students at Lois T. Murray Elementary/Middle School. The ceramic creations by students were kiln fired and assembled by volunteers and staff. During the week of Thanksgiving, the piece was installed in the main hallway of the school (pictured below).

Art of Leadership

In November, Art of Leadership curriculum focused on Mental Wellness. As part of the session, students enjoyed a facilitated and guided nature walk and activities at Cylburn Arboretum with Ted Martello. After the walk, the group enjoyed a tea ceremony and shared gratitude for each other. Once back at Art with a Heart, the students enjoyed dinner and a meaningful discussion about mental wellbeing and positive psychology with Jacqueline Toner.

Art with a Heart is thrilled to once again be collaborating with both the Ronald McDonald House Maryland and Constellation to create a community art piece for installation in the Ronald McDonald House. Stakeholders from Constellation, Ronald McDonald House and Art with a Heart will be completing the mosaic over the next two months. Stay tuned for progress photos!

Thank You Volunteers!

Art with a Heart is grateful for the service groups who shared their time and talent with the organization during the month of November: BG&E, Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University The Choice Program, JHU Fli Day, Girls Scouts of Central Maryland and Bryn Mawr School.