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Art from the Heart is a volunteer program that connects volunteers, patients, and caregivers with art supplies at the University of Vermont Medical Center and Children’s Hospital since 1994. Hospital rooms and chemotherapy infusion bays become temporary art studios for patients and their caregivers, transforming the hospital environment into a more creative, connected, and comforting place. The program supports patients of all ages, children, families, nurses, doctors, and all care team members. Around half of the participants are children under the age of 18. Art from the Heart is FREE for anyone at UVM Medical Center and Children’s Hospital.
Research has shown that the arts can decrease pain, anxiety, and sleep issues while increasing positive emotions and communication. Research has also shown that spending time on creative activities helps us feel better, even if we don’t think we are skilled. Experiencing the arts brings many benefits, helping us feel cared for while reducing hospitalization boredom and disconnection – supporting us socially, emotionally, and physically.

 

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Patient, Family, and Friend Resources

If you or someone you know is at the UVM Medical Center or Children's Hospital, you can request an art kit or a visit from a volunteer. Email Rebecca Schwarz at rschwarz@burlingtoncityarts.org or call 802-865-9163 with the patient’s room number (or employee’s name), unit, which floor they are on, and what is requested. Choose from the art kits listed below or request something else such as a visit, room or occasion decorations, etc. Please allow a few days, visits happen based on volunteer availability. 


Please note: Volunteers cannot enter isolation rooms, but can leave supplies with nursing and when possible can talk with patients from outside of isolation rooms.

* Can be adapted for people with self harm concerns. Please request this adaptation if needed.
Balancing Birds – Color, build and enjoy paper birds to balance on your fingertip.
Card Making – Create and decorate cards with pens and collage. Fill cards with a message or leave blank and give as gifts.
Collage For Adults: Imagine Everything – Paper, images, glue stick, magazine, and ideas to get you started.
Collage For Kids: A Window to the Imagination – Paper, images, glue stick, magazine, and ideas to get you started.
Coloring – A set of colored pencils, a sharpener, and a range of coloring pages from nature scenes to detailed patterns.
Coloring: Easy –  For people with dementia. Crayons and a range of simple coloring pages.
Coloring: For Kids –  Crayons and a range of coloring pages for young kids.
Coloring: Simpler –  For people with low vision. Markers and a range of bold coloring pages.
Drawing & Mandalas – Mandalas have been used for thousands of years to create calm and focus. Includes colored pencils, sharpener, paper, pen and inspiration pages.
Friendship Bracelets – String choices and inspirational instructions for creating colorful patterned bracelets.
Journaling & Write to Heal – This Do It Yourself: Write To Heal kit has a journal, pen, pencil, sharpener, poems and inspiration sparks to get your writing flowing. 
Model Magic – Build, create, and play with air-dry clay. Create creatures, handprints and anything you can imagine.
Oil Pastels – A set of richly colored soft and smudgy oil pastels, inspirational ideas and paper for your creations, some with images to get you started.
Origami – Squares of colorful paper and instructions on how to fold butterflies and other creatures with the Japanese art of paper folding.  

Pattern Doodling – Get into flow with by Zentangling with a pen, pencil, and paper “tiles” (small squares of paper) for you to fill with patterns: zentangle.com  

Scratch Art – Scratch pictures and patterns into black card paper to reveal color or sparkles. Comes with a smooth wooden stylus for scratching and some inspiration.
Washi Tape – Decorate a mini journal, wooden ornaments and more with colorful rolls of paper tape and inspiration ideas.
Watercolors – A set of watercolors, brushes, inspirational ideas and some watercolor paper for your colorful painting creations.
Art Kits (Expand / Collapse)
An overview image of UVM Medical Center with the Green Mountains in the background.

Medical Center Employee Resources

If you work at UVM Medical Center in Burlington, be in touch to request support for your team and/or patients.

Possibilities include:

  • A volunteer visit described above. Please allow a few days, visits happen based on volunteer availability. Volunteers cannot enter isolation rooms. They may leave items with nursing staff. When possible, volunteers may chat with patients from outside of the room.
  • Art kits with project supplies and ideas to have on-hand. Request a box with specific kits or a selection of kits (descriptions above).
  • Team-building art installations and workshops to help people relax together and develop positive communication in a variety of modes and styles. Workshops can be as short as 20 minutes. Art installations can take many different forms depending on the unit goals, space, and team.
  • Art decorations for the unit, offices, holidays, or celebrations made by volunteers.
  • Other collaborations to help people feel better through the arts. Reach out to explore ideas.

 

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Contact Art from the Heart Coordinator Rebecca Schwarz at rschwarz@burlingtoncityarts.org or 802-865-9163.