News
December 20, 2023Arts & Hearts Program Sparks Creative Joy at RMHC of the Capital Region
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region (RMHC-CR) is pleased to provide opportunities for children and families to create art together through a program called Arts & Hearts, launched in 2023. Throughout the year, RMHC-CR families past and present have been invited to participate in free, monthly art classes at the Ronald McDonald House, creating unique sand art, paintings on canvas, sun catchers and birdhouses, among other creative projects.
“It’s such a treat to see the excitement and joy each Arts & Hearts class brings to ‘The House That Love Built,’” said Kimmy Venter, Interim CEO for RMHC-CR. “We’re grateful to be able to offer our guest families a creative outlet to help lift their spirits and make positive, lasting memories as they deal with serious childhood health issues.”
For those who wish to get creative on their own, an ample collection of art supplies is available at the Ronald McDonald House year-round. Additionally, Arts & Hearts “on the go” kits are offered to children and families at the Ronald McDonald Family Room, located inside the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Med. These kits are also distributed from the RMHC-CR Comfort Cart, which brings snacks, drinks, personal care items and other resources directly to patients’ bedsides throughout the children’s hospital.
“After witnessing the impact that Arts & Hearts has made on dozens of children and families this year, we look forward to creating more opportunities for artistic expression in the year ahead,” said Venter. “Furthermore, we’re delighted to be able to showcase and share pieces of art created by RMHC guest families with our local community at the Ronald McDonald House.”
Visitors to the House can view art created by children and families in an Arts & Hearts exhibition space featuring paintings, sand art, colorful sculptures and more. This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The Arts Center of the Capital Region.
