This week on Spotlight On Maryland, Gina Crash spoke on the phone with Randi Pupkin, Founder and Executive Director of Art with a Heart, (AWAH). For 21 years, AWAH has been enhancing the lives of people in need through visual art.
In March of 2000, after practicing law for 14 years, Randi incorporated AWAH from the desk of her law office. Now 21 years later, Art with a Heart is integral to the Baltimore community, filling the creative void by providing equitable access to visual art experiences. Since 2000, AWAH has provided educational, creative and inspirational programs to Baltimore's vulnerable children, youth and adults.
In honor of it's 21st anniversary, the non-profit is gearing up to install a heart sculpture on Pratt Street between Hanover and Charles Streets on September 1, 2021. In addition to safely welcoming in person participation by a diverse and rich community of volunteers, AWAH also distributed 425 pounds of clay via curbside pickup and mail, offering families, students and seniors and opportunity to engage in the project by making ceramic hearts to embellish the sculpture.
The organization is currently creating an expansive mosaic for the Esperanza Center. Also, their retail and online store HeARTwares is selling mosaic replicas of the Heart of Baltimore.
To find out more about Art with a Heart and their programs, visit artwithaheart.net. You can also find AWAH on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Click below to listen to the interview.