Art With Heart

Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Scholbohm

January 26, 2010, 10:58 am
Jennifer and Oodles of Doodles

Jennifer with Oodles of Doodles

Jennifer Schlobohm was living in Portland, Oregon when her husband brought home an article from Horizon Air Magazine about Art with Heart, and suggested that Jennifer look into getting involved.

Jennifer had a strong art background in art – and had even taught art at an elementary school – but had never before heard of anyone validating of the therapeutic value of art. She was intruiged and traveled to Seattle to attend an Art with Heart training session. Shortly after that, Jennifer and her husband moved to Seattle. Wanting to be involved in the community, Jennifer went to Swedish Hospital, where she knew, as soon as she saw the art on the walls that she had found the perfect place to practice her newly-learned skills from Art with Heart.

As an Art Buddy, Jennifer volunteers 4-8 hours each week, using Art with Heart books to engage the children in conversations outside of “hospital stuff.”

“The positive coping skills and self-confidence that they gain are very evident,” says Jennifer, “Its such a great feeling to see the change in the kids and help them be at ease. They now also have a piece of art that helps them stay positive if they get scared later.”

Jennifer also seeds parents engage with their children in new ways because of the books and the art. As the parents discover their child’s creative talents, some of the stress of being in the hospital seems to disappear. Even the hospital staff joins in, bringing donations of magazines and art supplies that Jennifer can use with the kids.

“Spending several hours with the kids here makes up for years of being at mediocre jobs,” she observes. “Swedish is a great place to use my skills. The only thing missing is MORE Art with Heart volunteers!”

If you would like to learn more, come to our training on Wed., Jan. 27! The training, led by Certified Child Life Specialist Evi Feltus, will cover usage of all three Art with Heart books. The training will help potential volunteers feel comfortable using art with hospitalized children. Jennifer knows that her work would not be possible without Evi’s enthusiasm for the Art Buddy program. For more about Evi, follow this link to our BLOG. To register for the workshop, or get more information, visit www.artwithheart.org/events.


C&S at Swedish

, 10:48 am

Evi Feltus is a Child Life Specialist at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. She became interested in becoming a Child Life Specialist when she volunteered for Art with Heart at Children’s Hospital several years ago. She had nannied for many years and found her volunteer time through Art with Heart to be a great way to combine her passion for children with her passion for creativity.

Evi brought Art with Heart’s “Art Buddy” program to Swedish when she was hired and has been working with volunteers to bring creativity to children in the hospital.

She relates the story of an 18-year-old girl with Friedrich’s Ataxia that she gave the Chill & Spill journal to, in order to help her cope with the effects of the disease. Although the patient had difficulty writing her name, speaking clearly and even sitting up, she was able to paint.

Inspired by Chill & Spill’s “Safe Place” activity, she painted a fall scene and wrote a poem about where she felt the safest. Later when she felt overwhelmed by the progressive nature of her disease, she had visual mementos of her “safe place” to keep with her and use that as a tool to help her release her anxiety.

Evi is excited to have more Art with Heart volunteers. Evi wants to remind everyone, though that “you don’t have to be an artist yourself to facilitate creative expression.”


Featured Partner of the Month

January 15, 2010, 9:06 pm

starlight_canada-logoArt with Heart is deeply grateful for its long-standing partnerships with hospitals and organizations, like the Starlight Children’s Foundation of Canada. The Foundation has been using Art with Heart’s therapeutic books for over five years, and most recently ordered nearly 2,000 Chill & Spill journals for hospitalized teenagers in its network of more than 100 hospitals and medical clinics throughout Canada.

The Starlight Children’s Foundation of Canada sent 100 kits, including a copy of Oodles of Doodles and various art supplies. Hospital Program Manager for the Foundation, Cathy Diamond, shared a story about a cancer clinic in Ottawa that came to her looking for a creative tool for the children in treatment. The Foundation provided 100 kits to the clinic which included a copy of Oodles of Doodles and various art supplies. The kids loved having something that was given to them during visits to the clinic and belonged to them.

“There is such a positive benefit for the kids who use the books,” says Cathy. “A strong part of Starlight’s mandate is to provide distractive entertainment and distractive therapy, which helps kids cope during difficult times. The books also provide a great icebreaker for child life specialists to help start a conversation with a child who is shy or frightened.”

For more than 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries by providing entertainment, education and family activities that help them cope with the pain, fear and isolation of prolonged illness. To learn more about how Art with Heart supports the work of organizations and foundations, like Starlight Children’s Foundation, visit www.artwithheart.org


Wine Festival & Fundraiser at Teatro Zinzanni

January 13, 2010, 9:27 am

ExoticWineFest_lorez_headPRESS RELEASE: On Tuesday, February 2, 2010, from 6:30 – 9pm, Teatro Zinzanni will host an “Exotic Wines Festival,” the 1st annual winter wine tasting event in Seattle.

More than just Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay grapes are growing in Washington State vineyards these days.  With 23 Washington wineries featuring their new “exotic” varietals, such as Mourvedre, Cinsault, Malbec, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Roussanne, Viognier and Albarino as well as some interesting blends, guest will be treated to the ever growing array of unique wines from around the State.

Teatro Zinzanni artists will be on hand to mingle and entertain guests to a few random “exotic” performances from their new show, “License to Kiss.” Some culinary treats will also be provided from the TZ Kitchen. This festival of the exotic will be the perfect way to have a fun break from the dreary days of February in Seattle!

Proceeds from this event benefit Art with Heart to help children in crisis. Tickets are $40 and available at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93806.

Teatro Zinzanni is located at 222 Mercer Street, Seattle, Washington, 98119 and directions can be found at dreams.zinzanni.org/info.htm.

“Exotic Wines Festival” is produced by Sommelier David LeClaire of Wine Events & Promotions and Seattle Uncorked, a new social club for wine enthusiasts and resource on classes, tasting events, and local wine stores and wine bars.
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