April 2026

Serving Thanks: Celebrating Our Volunteers

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month—a special time to honor and celebrate the volunteers who are the heartbeat of Art with a Heart. Our organization would not be what it is today without the dedication and passion of the individuals who generously give their time, talents, and energy. Their unwavering commitment nurtures Art with a Heart programs, empowers creativity, and helps us create a vibrant, supportive community where art transforms lives. We are deeply grateful for each and every volunteer. Together, we are proof that when we come together with heart and purpose, we can create something truly meaningful and lasting. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey.

This month, the Art with a Heart programming team sparked creativity and connection across our sites! At St. Francis Neighborhood Center, students crafted Sun and Moon oil pastel drawings exploring contrast and symbolism, while at Fello, participants sculpted expressive coil clay hearts, blending hand-building skills with personal storytelling. Our Judy Center preschoolers buzzed with joy creating bumble bee art using paper plates, paint, and paper—building fine motor skills, learning color recognition, and learning that bees are vital pollinators, fostering both creativity and environmental awareness.

The intern luncheon was also held this month, where all Art with a Heart interns were able to learn more about the organization and its many branches. Students asked Branch Directors thoughtful questions about their work, gaining insight into different program areas, career pathways, and the impact of community-based arts. The gathering fostered meaningful dialogue, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of how the arts can connect and uplift communities.

Community Art and Service

On April 15th, the Art with a Heart Community Art and Service team launched a creative collaboration at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, where researchers, staff, and students helped to mosaic, sculpt, and paint elements for a large-scale project set to be installed this fall. Meanwhile, the Enduring Flower project, collaboratively created with BGE staff and House of Ruth clients, was installed in the House of Ruth’s quiet room—a space for reflection and support. Each flower symbolizes values like strength, resilience, and confidence, honoring the experiences of House of Ruth residents.

On April 13, 2026, HeARTworks hosted Behind the Career: Conversations with Creatives, a dynamic panel event featuring six professionals from diverse fields including radio, interior design, architecture, visual arts, 3D digital design, and brand marketing. The event was co-hosted by the Deputy Director Candace Allmond and Art with a Heart Workforce Apprentice, Jasmine Pitt (10th grader), which highlighted youth leadership, as apprentices engaged the panelists with thoughtful questions. The 25 attendees included current students and future YouthWorks participants and offered an authentic look into creative careers through the panelists’ personal stories and practical insights. Afterward, students networked with the professionals, shared resumes, and built meaningful connections. The event successfully embodied HeARTworks’ mission to connect youth with the resources and relationships essential for pursuing fulfilling creative careers.

As part of their session on housing insecurity, Cohort 11 visited the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET), a nonprofit dedicated to providing housing, job training, and supportive services for veterans and their families. This immersive experience deepened students’ understanding of the challenges unhoused veterans face, questioned common stigmas, and reinforced the message that everyone has a story and deserves respect. Back at Art with a Heart, students reflected on the visit, connected with one another through the “Leader Spotlight Series,” and engaged in a game that put students in the shoes of someone navigating housing insecurity and the supports needed to find stability.

During April, Grace Ogunmodede dropped in to learn about the organization and stayed to paint a flower pot and helped with beading a picture frame. Check out her Instagram post about her time at Art with a Heart here. The Impressionists meet the second and fourth Thursdays each month to connect, create, and give back in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Join us on May 14th at the Avenue and May 26th at the Mill. For details, contact Jess@artwithaheart.net

Thank you Volunteers!

Art with a Heart is grateful to those who shared their time and talent with the organization during April, including: BGE, Christ's Elite Bible Study, Fox45, Franklin & Prokopik, Greenmount School, Jemicy School, Morgan State University SOUL, PSFALS. Strawbridge School, and T.Rowe Price.