This is where you can find out about ART with HEART
// Drawing with Love.
Inspired in part by the Black Lives Matter movement, ART with HEART is a project
that was born from love and the ache of injustice. The idea for a positively focused, social justice art project with kids was percolating over the last few years, and became a personal mandate after the last presidential election. When we look to our leaders, whether they are parents, teachers, or politicians, we tend to have the most trust for people who are fair.
Fairness seems like an old fashioned word, but it is what justice is based upon.
During the decades that I was raising my child in community in Ithaca, New York, I began to learn about barriers and dangers that my family didn’t face, but that other families faced everyday. I’ll never forget when a friend of mine told me that her sons had a much higher likelihood of going to jail than my son, not due to anything they might have done, but just because of different treatment because they were black and he was white. Years of research support what she said, only she knew it from having to see it in her community. I thought about that a lot over the years, and began to read and study and talk with others about these disparities, this reflection of unfairness.
(I am extremely grateful to report that my son and her sons are well safe and sound - and fine adults now!)
This project is a home-made curriculum and a hands-on approach
to overcoming fear and unfairness with Love and Play.
It came from a too-long witness of unfairness, and the sadness of seeing greatness unable to ascend.
The heart wants justice and will have it. There are many things that people can do to become helpful and to become active allies for people who are experiencing unfairness in a systemic way in society.
In the midst of all the other actions we can and must take together, it is also essential to
play and celebrate each other’s gifts, talents and beauty.
The pilot project in March 2017 focused on celebrating Black Lives, and the next in 2018 focuses on women, and a future project will focus on Immigrants and Indigenous People.
Please note: I am especially grateful to the staff at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) for the loving, expert care they provide for many of our community's children and for giving me and us a chance to build this project.