Art with a Heart in Healthcare
841 Prudential Drive Suite 150 Jacksonville, Fl 32207 | 904-306-0390
Programs
'let's make art' (online art experiences)
Art with a Heart in Healthcare created the 'Let's Make Art' initiative amid COVID-19 restrictions, and has adapted it to be a permanent part of our organization. This program enables AWAHIH to virtually with engage patients, their families, and the public. This program consists of:
-art to-go bags filled with art supplies for hospitalized patients (Each bag costs $25. To donate a bag to a patient in need please follow this link.
-monthly live art sessions
-custom, printable coloring pages
-music, storytelling, and healing sounds by AWAHIH Artists-in-Residence.
(To visit the Let's Make Art page please follow this link.)
group art
AWAHIH invites patients and their families to join them for art-making in the Nemours Children's Health Hematology/Oncology waiting room and Wolfson Children's Hospital play rooms six days a week. This is an opportunity for patients and families to have meaningful interactions while also having a positive and uplifting fine art experience in the healthcare setting.
bedside art
Six days a week, AWAHIH Artists-in-Residence (AIR) bring creative opportunities right to patients' bedsides, transforming their hospital rooms into art studios. AWAHIH currently offers bedside art sessions to patients at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Mayo Clinic. AWAHIH AIR are adept at personalizing the art experience and accommodating each patient’s unique interests and abilities. Our AIR also create beautiful works of art per the patient's request.
behavioral health
AWAHIH provides group visual arts and healing sound sessions to Wolfson Children's Hospital Behavioral Health pediatric patients as well as Baptist Health adult and geriatric behavioral health patients. Patients report that having this allotted time of art making and music playing/ listening contributes to their emotional and mental well-being and enhances their healing process and overall healthcare experience.
support
groups
AWAHIH teams up St. Vincent's Hospital to facilitate a monthly family night for a support group called KTAC (Kids Together Against Cancer) which is for families facing cancer. This group gives families a chance to commune with other families sharing similar experiences, and express themselves creatively with a thoughtfully-planned art project.
special events
AWAHIH plans and facilitates art projects for various special events such as Tom Coughlin Jay Fund's annual Remembrance Weekend for families who have lost a child to cancer. AWAHIH also provides art experiences at healthcare related events such as the Wolfson 55 annual fundraiser.
media shows
Each month, AWAHIH provides an interactive fine art experience in the media center of Wolfson Children's Hospital that streams on patients' t.v.'s. and AWAHIH's Instagram account and Youtube channel. Artist in Residence Maddie explains media shows best:
"The media show is always a fun time and another great way to connect with our patients. We give step-by-step instructions that can be seen by anyone from their hospital room. It's like a kid-friendly version of the Bob Ross show!"
special projects
AWAHIH does special art projects for patients, their families, and the hospital staff. We transform medical equipment into personalized works of art for patients, paint banners for transplant patients, and create bereavement art for Wolfson Children's Hospital patients and families.
INTERNSHIP
Each fall and spring semester, AWAHIH has interns from the University of North Florida who works directly with WCH patients and families alongside our Artist-in-Residence. University of Florida Arts in Medicine Graduate program students complete their Practicum and Capstone courses with AWAHIH as well. The internship proves to be a profound experience for interns, impacting them personally and professionally. Some interns have even been hired as AWAHIH artists!
Volunteers
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AWAHIH is thankful for the selfless dedication of their volunteers! Volunteer artists come once a month and work directly with patients, their families, and the AWAHIH team. Other volunteers come when needed to help with special events. AWAHIH appreciates these special people for sharing their time, energy, and talents. We couldn't do what we do without our volunteers!