BALTIMORE (Nov. 22, 2024) – Just in time for the start of the holiday shopping season, Art with a Heart (AWAH) will host the grand opening of HeARTwares, its social enterprise store located on The Avenue in Hampen, at 1104 W. 36th St., Baltimore, MD 21211.

On Saturday, Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., guests can enjoy a unique shopping experience, plus interactive art activities, music and light refreshments. Festivities will kick off with a ribbon cutting ceremony officiated by City Council Member Odette Ramos. 

Admission is free, with complimentary shuttle service between HeARTwares and the Mill Centre. Guests can park in the Mill Centre lot (3000 Chestnut Avenue) and board the FreedomCar van, which will run to and from HeARTwares from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

HeARTwares stands out on The Avenue with eye-catching window displays handcrafted by local artist, Bree Rock (formerly of Trohv). Upon entering the 7,600-square-foot space, visitors will be greeted by friendly store associates – all of whom are AWAH teachers and volunteers – and cheerful artwork which sparkles in the sunlight coming from the large storefront windows.

The overall aesthetic is handmade and eclectic. Decor includes repurposed materials such as shutters from Second Chance, and shelving and a table donated by the Baltimore retail icon, The Store Ltd. Overall, HeARTwares features a wide variety of hand-made and one-of-a-kind artwork, jewelry, houseware items, garden ornaments and assorted gifts. 

Each sensory aspect reflects the AWAH ethos of fun and whimsy, as well as creativity and inclusiveness. Merchandise includes mosaic lamps, coasters, children’s tables and chairs, wish dolls, ornaments, photo frames, note cards, mirrors, t-shirts, notepads, candles and more! 

A common theme of HeARTwares is "shopping with purpose" and buying gifts with meaning. Each item is unique and was crafted with enthusiasm by community volunteers, and students and apprentices in AWAH’s workforce development program, HeARTworks, which is also housed in the new space. Now in its 20th year, HeARTworks provides a collaborative space for young people, ages 14-24, to experience a structured work environment while building job readiness and life skills.

Based in Hampden, AWAH chose to open a centrally-located satellite location where the artwork of its students and volunteers could be seen, appreciated and purchased by many more people. The new space is more than double the size of the previous HeARTwares location.

Most of the first floor is dedicated to the HeARTwares store, including a spacious main store room, two smaller store rooms, a gallery wall and spacious classroom. The second floor comprises staff offices, a computer lab and large classroom, which serves as the main hub for the HeARTwares team.

With more meeting spaces in the new location, AWAH plans to increase its workforce development collaborations and community art projects. The nonprofit aims to become a community hub for people from all over Baltimore, where everyone is welcome.

Art with a Heart’s (AWAH) mission is to enhance the lives of people in need through visual arts. Founded in 2000, the Baltimore-based nonprofit uses visual art for positive civic and economic change in its community programming, workforce development, community art, service learning and leadership development initiatives. Over the last year alone, Art with a Heart provided nearly 16,000 art classes to children, youth, adults, and families in schools, shelters, community centers, hospitals and senior facilities. For more information, visit www.artwithaheart.net or follow on social media: @AWAHBaltimore on Facebook and @artwithaheart_ on X & Instagram.