I met Steffanie Lorig when she participated in a workshop at our studio in 2004. She’s a graphic designer, author, and the founder and Executive Director of Art With Heart, a wonderful non-profit organization. This month’s Seattle Woman Magazine highlights Steffanie’s story about how she started Art with Heart and the books that have helped thousands of children around the world.

Art with Heart is a charitable 501c3 nonprofit organization that has had the privilege of helping over 36,000 children through the healing power of creativity. Our work supports fragile populations at times of crisis, such as after a diagnosis of cancer, a natural disaster, or the tragedy of a school shooting.

I recently participated in a fundraising event to benefit Art With Heart. This was the second time I volunteered and each time people played with wire. The first time, I worked with little people who made beautiful self-portraits from wire, and this time big people embellished a 5-foot tall wire figure I brought to the event.

Components for 'Wired for Art' figure, made from wire in various metals, gauges and colors

Gloria Wildeman, co-founder of Lionfish Creative, sponsored a meeting of the The Washington Technology Industry Association on September 10th at the Red Lion Hotel in downtown, Seattle. The coordinator for the event invited Art With Heart to be present. Steffanie wanted an interactive experience for the attendees, rather than simply having her staff sitting at a table with information. She contacted me and we met for coffee to brainstorm ideas. After considering several approaches, we settled on her original idea - an ‘exquisite corpse’ made of wire that the attendees could embellish.

Judging from the response, the attendees loved it! They jumped right in and rummaged through bowls of wire, beads, leather, etc., and made and attached lots of embellishments. We heard many ‘I’m not creative’ type comments, but even managed to talk these reluctant ‘non-artists’ into participating - and smiles appeared as they did so! Such is the power of art.

Enjoy the photos.

Washington Technology Meeting attendees making and adding embellishments

Helga Wissenbach, Production Manager for Able Innovations, with her embellishment - 'every girl needs a purse'

Gloria Wildeman of Lionfish Creative with knee embellishment

Close-up of 'Wired for Art' figure and unknown artist adding embellishment

'I'm not an artist' Erin Athene, President of Topaz Bridge, smiles after adding her embellishment

Art With Heart staff member Doris Wong Estridge holds 'Wired for Art' figure while Steffanie Lorig, Executive Director, speaks to attendees

Lisa Mackie, Art With Heart intern, displays completed 'Wired for Art' figure