Art from the Heart

Until further notice, Art from the Heart visits from volunteers are on hold. In the meantime, please visit the AFTH blog for ideas on how the arts can help us feel better with posts that offer research-backed, creative responses to connect community, wellness, humor, and culture.

ART KIT GIFTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DELIVERY TO PATIENTS AND STAFF AT THE MEDICAL CENTER 

If you or someone you know is hospitalized at the medical center, you can request an art kit with project ideas and supplies for the patient and family members, making the hospital a more creative place. Email Rebecca Schwarz at rschwarz@burlingtoncityarts.org with the patient’s room number, which floor they are on, and which kit is requested. Choose from Watercolors, Write to Heal, Coloring for Adults, Coloring for Kids, Oil Pastels, Drawing and Mandalas, Pattern Doodling, Card Making, or Mini Journals.

Art from the Heart is FREE for anyone at UVM Medical Center and Children’s Hospital including caregivers, family members, staff, patients, and visitors of all ages and abilities.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEER HELP

What inspires, soothes, and lifts you up? What digital activities help you feel better? What would you like to look at if you were alone in a hospital room? Share the inspiration and activities you love for the body, mind, and spirit. Currently, patients at the UVM Medical Center can receive zero or few visitors, and Art from the Heart is working to create online entertainment, and could use your help. 

Are you internet-savvy enough to:

• Find a few really good links to show how to draw, dance, code, skateboard, sew, play a word game, fix a leaky pipe or a broken heart, make a friendship bracelet — or anything!
• Make a video of something you like to do—one of the above, or any interest you have
• Create a playlist of music with a theme that might appeal to different age groups or moods
• Create or find a YouTube channel that has a collection of videos with a theme for any and all ages
• You can donate 1 hour or 100 — this is a call to the community to share your interests and talents with others.
• We also need some hands-on help (remote, with hygiene protocol) beading prayer / meditation bracelets that Spiritual Care chaplains will gift to patients, families, and caregivers. Instructions & beads provided. Make 1 - 100—anything helps!

Get in touch to suggest / develop / work on ideas with the coordinator of Art from the Heart, Rebecca Schwarz: rschwarz@burlingtoncityarts.org 578-2831

Who We Are 

Art from the Heart is a volunteer program that has connected volunteers, patients, caregivers, and art supplies at the University of Vermont Medical Center since 1994. Hospital rooms, and chemotherapy infusion bays become temporary art studios for patients and their caregivers, transforming the hospital environment.

Dedicated volunteers make Art from the Heart possible, along with financial support from the Children’s Miracle Network, the City of Burlington and generous individual donors, a dedicated staff person 20 hours each week, and administrative support from UVMMC and BCA.

Who Benefits
We support children, families, patients of all ages, nurses, doctors, and all care team members. Just over half of the participants are children under the age of 18. Over 7000 people participated last year.

History
Art from the Heart was founded by Abby Rose and was modeled after the Harlem Horizon Art Studio at the Harlem Hospital Center in NY. Since 1994 Art from the Heart has worked collaboratively with the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital to support patients. In 2015 the program expanded through a generous gift to serve adult patients and caregivers. 

Volunteer!
Art from the Heart is always looking for volunteers who have compassion and creativity. Artistic interest is important, but not necessary. At this point we are working remotely, and not able to visit the hospital for inpatient visits. If you'd like to volunteer, please fill out a volunteer application on our site, https://www.burlingtoncityarts.org/volunteer-bca

Make a Donation! Support Art from the Heart with a gift. Gifts can be made online or mailed to BCA at 135 Church St. Burlington, VT 05401, or call 802-865-5816. Gifts of stock are also appreciated. 
 
More Information
Arts in Health: Research, Practice, and Experience a session of The Integrative Community Practitioner Forum Hosted by the University of Vermont College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Click here to view a PDF of the slides and notes, and a link to a video of the session. 

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

_{Photo credit: Martha Loving Orgain}