News from the Heart
Fall 2019
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Art with a Heart in Healthcare
provides personalized fine art experiences that enhance the healing process for patients and their families.
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The Day Stay Center of Wolfson Children’s Hospital is designed for children who do not need an inpatient hospital stay but require more than a short office visit. Creating art can be a very important factor in creating a calm environment which encourages healing for these patients.
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Artist-in-Residence Lisa Miyares is in the Day Stay Center two days a week and has become a friendly, familiar face for the nursing staff, patients, and their families. Upon entering the Day Stay Center, Lisa is welcomed by the Day Stay healthcare providers with open arms, because they see the positive effects she has on patients. Lisa has had more than 500 patient interactions since the Day Stay program began earlier this year in February. She has developed special relationships with many patients and their families as they must come for appointments in Day Stay multiple days on a weekly basis for several hours at a time, often receiving uncomfortable and painful treatments. They have come to count on Lisa's company and the creative respite she provides them. Regardless of the varying circumstances, Day Stay visits are humanized and enhanced with personalized fine art experiences.
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Creating art during hospital visits allows patients to express themselves in a meaningful and enjoyable way. When attention is focused on making art, time feels like it passes much quicker. The ability to make decisions that inevitably accompanies the creative process empowers patients and helps them to regain a sense of control, independence, and normalcy. The patients' families express their appreciation for Lisa and AWAHIH, as it is meaningful to them that their child is smiling and laughing even in the medical environment. It is not uncommon to hear, "This is the first time my child has smiled since we've been here!" and that is what makes work as Artists-in-Residence worthwhile!
Thank you Lisa, for bringing warmth, fun, and creativity to the patients, families, and staff in Day Stay!
Also, a huge thank you for everyone who supported our 2019 fundraiser to make this Day Stay program a reality!
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"AnimalGamation"
- 2019 at MOCA
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"
If you could create your own animal ... what would it look like?"
This question sparked an abundance of creativty amongst patients in Wolfson Children's Hospital. Together with AWAHIH Artists-in-Residence, sixteen patient artists reflected on their individual personalities, stories, and interests to create unique mixed-media pieces of art.
"AnimalGamation",
sponsored by Black Knight, opened on August 10, 2019 and will run through December 8, 2019 at the
Museum of Contemporary Art.
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Follow the links below to see news articles and videos about the show and patients' experiences working with AWAHIH artists:
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"A World of Their Own
"
2018
“If you could create your own world, what would it look like?”
Visit
The St. Johns Main Library in St. Augustine, FL
to see our patient artists' creative responses to this question patients including Keniyah (pictured top left), age 10, who created
Power World,
a place full of heroes with different powers, such as the "power maker" who inspires others to be powerful and to use their powers for good.
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"Inside the Outline"
2017
"What makes you happy?"
Using a projector, our Artists-in-Residence traced the outline of each patient artist's facial profile. Then, in response to the prompt, patient artists filled the inside of the outline with all things that bring them joy and make them smile. You can find this show on the
second floor of the OneCall building
across the street from Wolfson Children's Hospital.
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"Unmasked"
2016
"What's in your head?"
A mask represents more than just a face. It is a metaphor for these patients' stories and personalities. Next time you are at
Nemours Children's Specialty Care
, be sure to stop by the
tenth floor
to see our "Unmasked" show. These masks are not only beautiful, but symbolic and special.
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University of North Florida Internship Program:
Honoring Professor Louise Freshman Brown
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We are celebrating sixteen years of our student internship program through our partnership with University North Florida (UNF). Additionally, we are honoring Louise Freshman Brown who retired this year in May after 38 years as a distinguished professor at UNF in the department of Art & Design. Louise established the internship program and has been the liaison between students and AWAHIH ever since. Now, after many years of hard work and accomplishments, Louise is handing the liaison position over to Jason John, another UNF Art & Design professor so that the internship program can continue for years to come.
Louise has witnessed the "transformational experience" that the AWAHIH internship program has been for each one of the 86 interns she has overseen. She says, "What my students have gained by teaching seriously ill children is beyond the ordinary experience, but what they do for the children and their parents is immeasurable."
Louise has positively influenced countless students over the years and is leaving a legacy that will have an ongoing impact the lives of many to come. She will continue creating her own art as a professional artist and leading art workshops both locally and abroad.
Thank you, Louise, for many years of dedication. Congratulations on your retirement!
Also, a warm welcome to Jason John! We look forward to the continued growth of the UNF/AWAHIH internship program.
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AWAHIH partners with Wolfson Children's Hospital to promote Childhood Cancer Awareness
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The month of September is nationally dedicated to raising awareness of Childhood Cancer. In honor of this, AWAHIH helped pediatric oncology patients DREAM BIG by decorating feathers with their biggest dreams on them. One participant, Camilla, dreams of being a ballerina and another, Hunter, dreams of beating leukemia.
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The feathers were later hung on a giant dream catcher created by Artist-in-Residence Maddie which was displayed in the main lobby of Wolfson Children's Hospital. We were thrilled to help these patients make artwork as they fight cancer and other health battles, all while dreaming of a brighter future!
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Fundraisers and Donations
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Lily Pulitzer 'Shop and Share'
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In September, board member Kerri Carter partnered with Lily Pulitzer St. Johns Town Center (LPSJTC) to host a fundraising event for AWAHIH. Everyone was invited to shop for
their favorite Lily Pulitzer signature print items
. LPSJTC generously donated 10% of sales made during this evening to benefit AWAHIH. In addition, the week leading up to the event, LPSJTC collected art supplies for AWAHIH art to-go bags. LPSJTC encouraged people to bring supplies by exchanging donations with raffle tickets for chance to win a raffle prize item.
We greatly appreciate LPSJTC, Kerri Carter, and everyone who attended!
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Michaels Arts and Craft Store
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This year AWAHIH was the lucky recipient of a generous donation of art supplies from Michaels. Michaels delivered a truck full of fabric, canvases, easels, etc. These supplies will help us to provide a quality fine arts experience for patients and their families. One item we have been loving lately are the giant poster board paper that Artist-in-Residence Bob Drost has been using to draw the patients and their families caricature portraits on.
Thank you for helping to keep our supplies stocked, Michaels!
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Hemophilia 5K Fundraising Event
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AWAHIH set up a creativity station at the Hemophilia Foundation of Greater Florida's Halloween-themed Creepy Crawl 5K which benefitted local patients and families facing bleeding disorders. Attendees could choose between painting a mask or leaf rubbing (or both!). We enjoyed providing a fine-art experience for participants all for a great cause!
Artist-in-Residence Lisa did a wonderful job planning and preparing these two projects!
Thank you, Lisa!
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In honor of the late Ajamu Mutima
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Our hearts are heavy at the news of the passing of Ajamu Mutima, who was a cherished colleague, friend, and healer. Ajamu dedicated a decade of his life to being a beloved Art with a Heart in Healthcare team member. All the while, he generously shared his music, story-telling, wisdom, and love. Throughout his time with our organization, Ajamu touched the lives of over 5,000 patients in the Behavioral Health Center of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Ajamu also provided his services to more than 600 family members at special events, such as during AWAHIH’s art projects at the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund’s annual Remembrance Weekend event. Ajamu had a special way of breaking through emotional barriers to connect with people. He had a gift of speaking to souls and evoking deep introspection during his impactful, interactive, and insightful musical sessions. He will forever be a valued member of not only AWAHIH, but the Arts in Medicine community as a whole. The healing Ajamu encouraged in others over his lifetime through his music and story-telling will live on eternally in the hearts of many. We w
ish to send love and support to his family and friends. We also would like to thank
the Woodcock Foundation for the Appreciation of the Arts for their support for the past 11 years for making music a part of the healing process in Behavioral Health.
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Bob and Heidi Drost - Our very own father-daughter duo caricature artists!
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Bob and Heidi create caricature portraits for patients and their families.
We have been fortunate to have Bob on our AWAHIH team since 2015 after being a visiting artist since 2011. Since becoming part of our team, Bob has drawn caricatures for over 3,400 patients and family members. This year, we are very excited to welcome his daughter Heidi to our team! They work in Nemours Children’s Specialty Care Clinic weekly and at special events such as AWAHIH’s Patient Art Exhibit opening reception at MOCA, Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Remembrance Weekend, and Wolfson Children's Hospital Media Center shows.
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Bob and Heidi approach these drawings as a chance to get to know patients and their families and do a wonderful job of capturing each one of their personalities, talents, and interests in these lively portraits. Recipients of Bob and Heidi’s caricature art sessions are often seen smiling and laughing as they enjoy the fun, interactive, and personalized experience. The final product is a professional quality caricature portrait keepsake!
Thank you for being a light in the lives of many patients and families, Bob and Heidi!
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Our newest Artist-in-Residence
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Abigail interned with AWAHIH in fall 2018 through our internship program with University of North Florida while earning her degree in Painting, Printmaking, and Drawing. She said the reason she decided to intern with AWAHIH is because "I realized I wanted to do something meaningful and impactful with the arts and this (AWAHIH) is a good way to do that." After her internship with us, Abigail completed an eight-month internship with Mayo Clinic's Humanities in Medicine program and then volunteered with AWAHIH.
Currently, we are ecstatic to welcome her on our team as an Artist-in-Residence! She will be working weekly in the outpatient chemotherapy center at Mayo Clinic. Her favorite part about being an artist on the AWAHIH team is the genuine connection she is able to make while working one-on-one with a patient and getting to each one individually. Abigail specializes in 2D art and has created several beautiful painting requests for patients during her time with us.
Thank you for choosing to share your time, talent, and kind-hearted personality with us, Abigail!
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University of Florida Arts in Medicine Masters Program
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As the field of Arts in Health continues to standardize and professionalize, a few of our artists have earned or are currently working towards a Master of Arts in Arts in Medicine (MA in AIM) degree from the University of Florida (UF). The AIM graduate program teaches students how to successfully incorporate the arts into healthcare or community settings as an arts in health professional. AWAHIH is proud to have UF MA in AIM students intern with us!
Artists-in-Residence, Jill and Brooke have both completed this online graduate program. They both did their Practicum and Capstone research projects with AWAHIH. Brooke is continuing her education by attending seminars such as the 2019 National Organization for Arts in Health (NOAH) conference in Boston, MA this past September. Volunteer artist, Kiana Godoy, who is currently in her third semester of the UF AIM program, just completed her Practicum course work with AWAHIH. Kianna said "It was a great experience! Having to take time to plan activities and keep track of patients helped me to see how much work goes into maintaining (Arts in Medicine) programs."
We look forward to seeing the development of these three as they utilize their knowledge and experience they have acquired through the partnership between the UF AIM graduate program and AWAHIH.
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Way to go, Jill, Brooke, and Kianna!
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Hillary Whitaker -
Board Chair
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(Pictured below are our three newest board members.)
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We are so thankful for all that our board does for AWAHIH!
Also, we would like to give a warm welcome to Bonnie, Bebe, and Kerri! We are thrilled to have you three join our team!
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Thank you to our AWAHIH team for dedicating your artistic talents and caring dispositions in efforts to enhance the healing process of patients and families!
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Help us keep making a difference!
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If you are an artist who enjoys helping adults, children, and families discover their creativity, we encourage you to join our volunteer team.
We have open opportunities seven days a week. Our volunteers represent all ages and sectors of the community. For more detailed information, please see our
Volunteer page
on our website.
Art with a Heart is grateful for the selfless devotion of our volunteers:
Patsy Moore
Helen Meatte
Janet Massey
Kianna Godoy
Chrissy Granados
Teresa Graham
Benita Gunnion
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If you have had a special experience with AWAHIH, go to our website and fill out our "tell us about your experience" survey. We would love to hear your story!
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Join
Our Team
-Be Part of Our Story-
Foundations, corporations, partners, sponsors, and individual donors who through their generous funding ensure that the children, adults and families we serve have the best staff, volunteers, and art supplies available.
Donations support our growing programs, and we invite you to join our team by making a tax deductible donation.
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A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State of Florida.
Registration # CH39925
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Christy Ponder
Executive Director and Artist-in-Residence
Lori Presto, MSW
Program Director and Artist-in-Residence
Maddie Firestone
Program Manager and Artist-in-Residence
Artists-in-Residence
Ajamu Mutima
Lisa Miyares
Dylan Bauer
Heidi Drost
Matt Richards
Anne Roberts
Bob Drost
Alexis Audate
Jill Olmo
Brooke McKinney
Meredith Sullivan
Abagail Santos
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Board of Directors
Hillary Whitaker
-
Board Chair
Kacey Roache -
Secretary
Judy Powell -
Treasurer
Laird
Casey Andeer
Kerri Carter
Bebe Alexander
Bonnie Hayflick
Board of Advisors
Lori Guadagno -
Co-founder
Lisa Ullmann -
Co-founder
Robert Monsky
Cynthia Jacoby Greene
Katherine Loeb
Sam Hall
Brooks Cannon
Kathy Soler-Sala
Melissa Roland
Jennifer Guthrie
Honorary Trustees
Louise Freshman Brown
Professor, University of North Florida
Suzanne Taylor
Community Volunteer
Karen Wolfson
Wolfson Children's Hospital
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"Gephyrobia, - the fear of bridges"
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Art
with a
Heart
in
Healthcare
Sponsors
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The Henri Landwirth Family Endowed Fund
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