Art with Heart is please to announce that our “Oodles of Doodles” book  is one of 36 case examples of exemplary health care arts projects and programs highlighted in a new book, “Transforming the Healthcare Experience through the Arts”.

In 2005, Oodles of Doodles won a first place honor from the Society for Arts in Healthcare (SAH), and as a result was on their radar. Annette is one of the top leaders in the use of Art in HealthCare.  She is also one of the founders and leaders of the SAH and Blair is the former CEO of Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. He is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, a member of the faculty at the UCSD Schools of Medicine and Management, and now serves as an advisor to Art with Heart.

This amazing book, years in the making and being released in December of this year, is an indispensable compendium of ideas and resources that assist healthcare organizations in successfully planning and implementing transformative arts programs. Orders are being taken by mail and you can download the flyer for the book here.

The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena California wanted to find a way to introduce the work of Art with Heart to their students.

After several conversations, one of the teachers introduced an book project to his illustration class, asking them to create a personal book inspired by activities from “Chill & Spill” guided journal. Over the next seven weeks, the class will meet once a week and go over their ideas one-on-one, as well as in the group. At the end of the semester, they will have created a collective book that Art with Heart can use to help engage other youth.

We are excited to see how it turns out! In the meantime, the students will learn more about the power of creativity to heal.

We had an opportunity to share our heart with foster care children and youth who are available for adoption at the Rotary Club/DSHS Adoption Party in Bellevue.

This is the second year this event has taken place, but the first year Art with Heart has been present to help. Last year, because of this event, almost all of the children who were available for adoption found a family that year from the folks who attended. This year, with even more children attending, we are hoping for the same, or better results!

The event was a success with many children, parents and volunteers combining their artistic efforts to create colorful ornaments to cherish the fun day. The event was packed with people decorating cupcakes, pumpkins, jewelry and playing games. Sounds of laughter filled the gymnasium while pizza and sweets fueled creativity!

Each child was on a mission to complete a scavenger hunt, in which they had to go around the room asking questions that a parent or volunteer might be able to answer. As they went down their list, finding people who enjoyed roller coasters, rainy weather, was a big brother or big sister, they won a fun prize. This was a great way to break the ice since we were all making new friends and new memories. Once the scavenger hunt ended, the creating began!

We at Art with Heart met an amazing group of children and parents who had fun creating beautiful pieces of art but most importantly, enjoyed getting to know each other and providing the opportunity for potential families to meet potential new members of their family.