Explore Baltimore: HeARTwares by Art with a Heart

April 24th, 2026 by Allison Shulman

This week, we visited HeARTwares, a Hampden storefront created by Art with a Heart, a nonprofit that has been serving Baltimore for over 25 years through visual art. The shop has been open in Hampden for two years and offers a space where the art of students and community members can be showcased and sold. 

Art with a Heart’s mission is to “enhance the lives of people in need through visual art.” The organization works with children, youth and adults across Baltimore, offering classes and creative programming in schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other community spaces. Each year, they provide 16,000 art classes, install around 40 public art pieces and engage more than 3,000 volunteers. 

HeARTwares extends that mission into a retail space, giving young artists a platform to share and sell their work while connecting with the Baltimore community. Featured in the shop are crochet pieces, ceramics, postcards, painting and more, each reflecting the uniqueness and creativity of the maker. The space also helps ensure proceeds go back to the artists themselves. 

We spoke with Anna Gallahan, Director of Partnerships, who shared how meaningful it is to work in Hampden. She highlighted the neighborhood’s diversity and the opportunity it provides to meet and connect with new people every day. 

Art with a Heart is always looking for volunteers and also offers internship opportunities for high school and college student interested in getting involved. Learn more at https://www.artwithaheart.net/getinvolved/volunteer/.