Pittsburgh Day of Giving

About

Art Expression, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that was founded by myself and my husband, James Lowden, in 2001. It is a fully inclusive, after-school program that focuses on developing the social skills of children through art by utilizing the components of art therapy in the Pittsburgh area. Our mission: "To facilitate positive socialization with children and adolescents through expressive art activities in an inclusive educational environment."

Art Expression Inc.'s goals are as follows:

  • Increase in self-esteem evidenced by positive statements about self and others
  • Enhanced social skills as evidenced by age-appropriate skills including ability to observe personal space of others, ability to share materials, ability to listen reflectively and comment positively on projects and ideas of other participants
  • Improved problem-solving skills as evidenced by participants' ability to identify and communicate a problem, develop a solution, seek assistance if needed, and evaluate the outcome
  • Improved frustration tolerance as evidenced by participant ability to apply problem-solving skills
  • Art Expression Inc. empowers participants with the social tools that they need to defeat bullying

The Art Expression portfolio of specialty programs includes:

  • Project Eco-smArt - teaches students to transform non-recyclable materials into renewed objects
  • From the HeArt - connects children of military families stationed outside the United States with children in the Pittsburgh area using art as a medium to provide support and empathy
  • StART Growing - integrates science and art to address the importance of both self and environmental nurturance

Art Expression Inc. has been serving fully inclusive groups of special and regular education students in the Pittsburgh area for over a decade. Current school partners include Mt. Lebanon, Keystone Oaks, South Allegheny and Hampton school districts. To date, Art Expression programming has reached over 1,800 students. The American Association of School Administrators and the American Art Therapy Association have both designated Art Expression Inc. as a model program for our nations K-12 schools and invited Art Expression Inc. to participate in the production of a Tool-Kit which features four of the nations most innovative after-school programs. The American Association of School Administrators has provided the Toolkit to the countries 13,000 school districts.

Here is what South Allegheny Elementary School Principal, Alisa King, has to say about Art Expression:

"The Art Expression program is loaded with fresh ideas and new possibilities for individual creations. What I love most about our program is that students are getting the social, emotional and behavioral health therapeutic resources they need without the stigma of counseling. It's completely participant driven, with no threats of social pressure. Students are learning to manage their feelings and behaviors in more positive ways, while educating themselves on how they can manage their own personality in a big and sometimes intimidating world."

I, along with the Art Expression board of directors and team are passionate about helping children to lead vibrant, healthy and fulfilling lives, and we hope that you will join us in this mission.

Sincerely,
Angela Lowden
Founder and President
Art Expression, Inc.
amlowden@comcast.net
(412) 561-3006