Kits to Heart Art Hive: Open Studio
Spring 2025 Dates
Saturdays, 2 to 3 PM ET
March 15
April 19
May 24
June 21
About the Sessions
Free and open to anyone in the Kits to Heart community, Open Studio Sessions are guided by Luisa, a registered and licensed art therapist, with the focus of the session on community art-making in a shared virtual space. Participants can pop in for however long they can and spend time making anything they wish with any materials they have on hand. Art Hives follow an "art for wellness" community model and are more about connection and collective creative action, rather than following a structure or specific prompt—though we are happy to provide a prompt upon request to help inspire creativity, such as drawing a symbol that has a special meaning to you.
At the end of each session, there will be time for everyone who wishes to share their creations with the group.
If participants choose to make cards, the cards can be mailed to Kits to Heart (see mailing instructions here) after each session or upon the conclusion of the series to be included in our cancer care kits for cancer patients and caregivers.
Suggested Materials
Any art and/or writing materials you'd like to work with.
The materials below are optional and suggested if participants choose to make a collage and/or use artwork as cards to gift to patients.
- Blank cards or white cardstock
- Glue stick (re-stickable is handy for moving pieces)
- Bone folder (or old credit card) (optional)
- Your choice of collage materials, e.g.,
- Tissue paper
- Any variety of colored and/or patterned papers
- Magazines
- Nature photos
You may wish to write inspiring and positive quotations and messages to include inside or on the back of the card(s). For more tips, please refer to our guidelines on suggested do's and don'ts :)
Materials may be available upon request with AT LEAST two weeks' notice before a session date. Please email art@kitstoheart.org with the specific materials you would like to receive.
About the Facilitator
Luisa Mariño (she/her) is a registered and licensed art therapist and artist. In her work, she focuses on establishing a trusting and authentic relationship with individuals and communities. Before going deeper into the therapeutic process, she encourages each person to explore their creativity through a variety of art techniques. She also enjoys collaborating with partners and adapting therapeutic interventions to specific needs. As a researcher, she is interested in exploring the intersections among art therapy, education, and community work.
About Kits to Heart
Founded in May 2020 in Clarksville, MD, Kits to Heart distributes thoughtfully designed, curated cancer care kits to hospitals and cancer centers, as well as ships directly to patients nationwide. Kits to Heart also offers an innovative Art for Cancer Wellness Program to further address the issue of loneliness—as well as to provide tools to heal and cope for patients, caregivers, and oncology healthcare workers.