The Student News Site of Richard Montgomery High School

The Tide

The Student News Site of Richard Montgomery High School

The Tide

The Student News Site of Richard Montgomery High School

The Tide

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Philanthropy through art

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Celebrated American novelist Kurt Vonnegut once said, “Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.” The new club Artists With Heart makes this idea a reality by giving underprivileged children the opportunity to make art projects, express themselves, and display their creativity. Artists with Heart meets on the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at a church in Gaithersburg. Volunteers work with children ages 3 to 12 from The Dwelling Place, an organization dedicated to supporting homeless families.

The officers of the club—Helen Zhao, Sophie Wan, Maddie Liu, and Delia Chen—were inspired to create the club by art’s huge impact on their own lives.

Experiencing firsthand the healing power of art, the leaders hoped to inspire a similar passion in children who have not had such an introduction to artistic expression. “I thought it’d be really great if we could do something for kids who don’t necessarily get this exposure,” junior Helen Zhao said. The former club Color a Heart, which also aimed to spark artistic appreciation and interest in children, also influenced Zhao in creating this club. Zhao has not only revived the principles of generosity and service associated with the previous club, but also added some creative new spins to broaden the new club’s value. For example, unlike its predecessor, Artists with Heart expands beyond painting and drawing to incorporate music in their lessons as well.

“Art is a huge part of creativity and it’s really different from school, so it’s fun,” junior Helen Zhao said. “But it’s also very therapeutic.” Known to alleviate stress and anxiety, art represents an emotional and spiritual outlet for children that has the potential to greatly improve their health and spur the development of significant life skills, such as concentration and perseverance.

In the future, the club is planning on contacting the Housing Opportunities Commission to see if there are any other groups who might be interested in being a part of such a program. Other ambitious plans include hosting fundraisers to raise money for new materials and Christmas presents for the kids. With its admirable aims of giving children invaluable opportunities for self-expression, growth, and therapy, Artists with Heart strives to make a long lasting impact on our community.

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By Elena Yeatts-Lonske and Rachel

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