October 2025

Congratulations Lara and Julie!!!

Art with a Heart is proud to have the most dedicated group of educators, and we are incredibly grateful for their commitment. This month marked two significant milestones: Lara and Julie celebrated 10 and 15 years, respectively, of inspiring Baltimore students with their creativity and passion through Art with a Heart. Lara shared, "I love you guys to the moon and back. Nothing prepared me for the surprise Jake had for me. I was totally shocked. I love the gifts and the card, I read it over and over and cried each time. I always prayed that I would find a company to give my all to. You guys are it. Once I heard Ms. Randi's story as well as seeing your hard work and dedication. I knew I was in the right place. Like I told Jake, I couldn't have made it this far without your love and support. I thank you guys for everything. I look forward to the next 10 years with you guys."

Our team retreat at Weber Cider Mill Farm was a wonderful blend of fun and reflection. We navigated winding mazes, enjoyed creative pumpkin carving sessions, and took meaningful time for personal and group reflections. The day was a perfect opportunity to connect, recharge, and celebrate our shared commitment in a relaxed, inspiring setting.

This month, the Art with a Heart programming branch fully embraced the spirit of fall with creative, hands-on projects and spooky seasonal fun! From pumpkin-inspired art and autumn crafts to festive Halloween activities, our classes were filled with laughter and learning. Students showcased their talents with beautiful colors, textures, and traditions.

Community Art and Service

During October, the Art with a Heart Community Art and Service team continued to work on a large-scale community mosaic for the Richcroft offices. Hundreds of Richcroft stakeholders and Art with a Heart volunteers and service groups collaborated to bring this project to fruition (design pictured below). The team has also been busily preparing for a community art workshop at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, where both medical and service professionals will come together to work on a large-scale mural for the hospital. Finally, the team had a meaningful and inspiring evening with students from the Art with a Heart's Art of Leadership program, Elijah Cummings Youth Program, and Galilee Dreamers to embellish birdhouses that will be incorporated in a colorful installation at Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh. The Third Space installation will include nearly 400 birdhouses and will represent community connection across race, religion, and cultures.

The HeARTworks/HeARTwares branch had an exciting and art-filled October! Five students from City Neighbors High School kicked off their internships and have been diving into the world of digital arts — exploring everything from concept development to design. They’ve even begun creating their own sticker packs and poster designs that will soon make their debut in the HeARTwares store (which is fully decked out for the season!)

This month, HeARTworks students from the Woodbourne School proudly completed a mural installation. The project grew from this past summer’s workforce development program. Students explored the art of mural-making — studying local artists, sketching their own ideas, and creating collaborative pieces that celebrate the school’s focus on woodwork and automotive trades. The final mural features a truck on the road to success, with symbols of each trade and inspirational slogans along the way.

This month, Cohort 11 participated in a bus tour of Baltimore to explore how race and class have shaped the city and how redlining continues to impact communities to this day. Inspired by a history lesson from Shauntee Daniels of the Baltimore National Heritage Area and the artwork of Kim Rice, students reflected on the past and envisioned a more equitable future. The tour included visits to Restoration Gardens, Parks & People, and the SNF Parkway Theatre where they viewed The Birth of the Black Butterfly and discussed community investment and neighborhood perception.

Thank You Volunteers!

Thank you to the community members and service groups who shared their time and talents with Art with a Heart during the month of October - T. Rowe Price, Under Armour, Arc of Baltimore, Strawbridge School, Constellation Energy, Baltimore County Public Schools, Towson University Women's Soccer Team, Western High School, Galilee Dreamers, Elijah Cummings Youth Program, Maury Donnelley and Parr, Inc., Friends School of Baltimore, Kennedy Krieger, and the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center.