McLean Students Bring Joy Of Art To Hospital Patients

MCLEAN, VA — A group of McLean High School students are keeping local hospital patients engaged through the best way they know how: art.

McLean rising sophomores Emma and Ally Chen, Hannah Huang, Hannah Lin and Jiayin Zou are among the founders of Youth Creativity Project, which works with local hospitals to provide patients with art kits and virtual art events. Youth Creativity Project aims to give patients in hospitals and health care facilities "a sense of connection and healing," Huang told Patch. Founded in September 2020, it secured nonprofit status in February 2021 and grew from a team of six to a network with members from other parts of the U.S. and world.

"We all enjoy doing art in our own ways, and we realized that during the pandemic, a lot of people were stuck at home," said Zou. "People in hospitals especially, like no one can go visit them because hospitals are hot spots for COVID, and we wanted to make people happier through art because one, everyone can do art...and two it's just a way to kind of let go of your emotions and just completely focus on one thing that can help your mental health improve and make you happier."

Ally Chen said the nonprofit combines her passion for art with a scientifically-proven way to improve physical and mental health. So far, the group has donated art kits and held art events with local hospitals and health care facilities. Huang said the virtual events focused on teaching children how to paint, draw and do origami.

Many of the participants are youth and young adults. Among the facilities Youth Creativity Project has worked with are National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI) Northern Virginia, the Children's Inn at NIH in Bethesda, Maryland, Children's National Hospital in DC, and Children's Hospital of Richmond. The nonprofit's most recent art event was at Children's Hospital of Richmond with 80 art kits donated, and they hope to host another event in October. The next event coming up will be NAMI Northern Virginia with 20 participants.

Ally Chen describes the art events as relaxed, where the members can talk with patients about daily life in addition to working on the art.

"Some of us we may not be into art, but the thing is all of us really enjoy helping other people, so I think that's the main reason why we all wanted to join and contribute with people in hospitals," said Huang.

Youth Creativity Project relies on donations to fund art supplies for kits and events. Its first fundraiser raised around $300 by selling snack boxes to friends, family and neighbors.

"Sometimes if we really need to, we will even use our own personal funds to help purchase the art kits and make sure that the patients in hospitals can enjoy them and get stress relief from them," said Zou. "We're hoping that as time goes on, we will be able to get more supporters, people who will understand our mission just like we do. We hope that the more work we do, the more help we provide, the bigger this organization will get, and the more help we will be able to provide in turn."

The nonprofit's latest fundraiser is called Poorly Done Portraits through July 31 to raise money for the upcoming rock art event with NAMI Northern Virginia. Donors can provide a $7 donation and a photo or themselves or a pet, and the Youth Creativity Project artists will draw the photo and send it back.

"We're artists, so we thought it would be a good opportunity to display our ability while also supporting our organization," said Emma Chen.

Their work has a personal impact on themselves too. Emma Chen says Youth Creativity Project has helped the McLean classmates connect and socialize with each other and the patients.

"I really enjoy making an impact on the lives of people I don't really get to interact with on a daily basis," said Emma Chen. "It definitely allows me to be more connected to society."

Looking toward the future, Ally Chen said Youth Creativity Project's goals include setting up recurring events with hospitals featuring different mediums of art and expanding the mission and impact to others. Youth Creative Project also plans to invite local artists to a virtual session and feature their artwork in a 3D virtual tour in August or September. The nonprofit is also looking for artists to donate or volunteer to draw portraits for fundraisers.

Huang and Lin are also hoping for in-person events and fundraisers after COVID-19.

"In-event events can create more interaction and stuff, which we might have lacked this year," said Lin.

Even after the art events, Youth Creativity Project hopes the patients can continue using the art kits and continue expanding their interest in art.

"When we hold these events, it's really nice to see people smiling and enjoying what we're providing for them, and I think that's really what makes me feel like I've made an impact," said Huang.

For more information, visit www.youthcreativityproject.org or Youth Creativity Project's Instagram.