June 2026

Art with a Heart Swings into Team Spirit!

Art with a Heart staff took a well-deserved break from the office for an offsite retreat at TopGolf Baltimore! It was the perfect opportunity to pause, celebrate how far we've come, and recharge for the exciting - and busy -summer ahead. The afternoon was filled with friendly competition, lots of laughter, and genuine team bonding that reminds us all why we love working together. It is so gratifying to be surrounded by a staff that works hard, shows up for each other, and yes - can swing a golf club or two! Here's to a wonderful summer ahead!

YouthWorks is BACK!

HeARTworks hosted a successful orientation to officially kick off another exciting summer with YouthWorks students. Art with a Heart will proudly be hosting 38 YouthWorks students for five weeks of hands-on and digital programming. Students will explore a variety of visual and digital art skills, and learn essential job skills, all while designing and producing new, innovative products that will be hitting the shelves of HeARTwares by the end of July! Stay tuned for updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, and highlights of everything our talented YouthWorks students will be creating.

Art with a Heart wrapped up the 2025 - 2026 school year with a vibrant showcase of creativity - from expressive animal portraits to colorful watercolor paintings. Our aging adult programs honored Juneteenth with meaningful collage projects and art inspired by influential African American artists. We were also thrilled to host Lakeland Elementary/Middle School students for a hands-on mosaic workshop, where fifth - and sixth - graders crafted their own lion mosaics.

As the school year closes, at Art with a Heart we reflect with pride on the diverse art skills, confidence and ability to self-express that all our students have gained. Now, summer programming kicks off with fresh energy and creativity - we can’t wait to see the imagination and personal growth they bring to their new projects!

Community Art and Service

It has been another busy month for Art with a Heart's Community Art and Service team! Staff and volunteers installed nearly 300 birdhouses at Third Space, transforming their outdoor patio into a vibrant, immersive art installation. The team also joined the Maryland Zoo's Pride Celebration, where kids (and kids at heart) created elephant masks to wear around the zoo while enjoying the festivities. At Rash Field Park, the team helped kick off Waterfront Week by leading a community mosaic destined for the back of a park bench. Art with a Heart is also thrilled to launch Mother Earth - a nearly

8-foot sculpture for the Greater Randallstown Community. Fabricated by Howard Connelly and designed by Art with a Heart's Artist in Residence Yulia Hanansen, the piece will feature intricate stained glass patterns inspired by Afro-Caribbean culture including colorful fruits and vegetables. Join us at the Liberty Live Concert Series this summer to be part of it!

Congratulations to the Class 111 graduates at Christopher’s Place! These inspiring men explored different art mediums with Art with a Heart. The men also enjoyed working on a collaborative mosaic piece that honored their journey and graduation. HeARTworks also bid a temporary farewell to our talented school-year apprentices, who impressively grew their art and job skills. Art with a Heart is excited to welcome the artists back this summer through YouthWorks for more learning and creativity.

Finally, HeARTwares proudly participated in the Grantmakers in Health Annual Conference, where attendees made beaded mosaic keychains, shopped HeARTwares merchandise, and connected with Art with a Heart's mission.

Cohort 11 completed their Art of Leadership journey by creating a beautiful butterfly mural at Beechfield Elementary/Middle School. Meeting weekly after school, students painted and embellished large butterflies with glass and beads, while younger students contributed smaller butterflies - together symbolizing growth, connection, and community. The mural, centered around the phrase “Learning Gives You Wings to Fly,” aims to inspire students to embrace learning, chase their dreams, and believe in their power to make a difference. On June 14th, Cohort 11 celebrated their graduation with inspiring speeches from student leaders and an alumna.

Art with a Heart is grateful to those who shared their time and talent with the organization during June including: Bello Marche, Boys & Girls Club Eastern Shore, College Town, Constellation, CohnReznick, CPower, Grace Medical Center, Hadassah, LifeBridge Health Patient Advocacy Team, Marley Middle School, Maryland Zoo, Strawbridge School, T. Rowe Price, UMD Pediatrics, and Wilmer Eye Institute.