Virginia Wesleyan Student Showcases ForKids Art in Campus Exhibition

Virginia Wesleyan University student Sarah Richards recently highlighted the creativity of ForKids participants through a special therapeutic art exhibition on campus. As the inaugural recipient of the Bobby Levin Scholarship, Sarah was tasked with curating an exhibit centered on healing through art. The scholarship is awarded to students pursuing careers in art therapy.

To bring the project to life, Sarah partnered with Jennifer McDuffie, ForKids Art Education Program Coordinator, whose dedication to creative expression made the collaboration a natural fit. Together, they selected pieces created by children in the ForKids Art Education Program, focusing on work that reflects resilience, emotional exploration, and the power of safe, creative spaces.

Sarah first connected with ForKids through a Batten Honors College service experience and was drawn to the organization’s mission and the presence of art throughout its facilities.

“I love the mission of ForKids and their innovative methods for assisting those experiencing poverty or homelessness,” said Sarah, who will graduate in May and already has been accepted into the Counseling & Art Therapy program at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University. “I especially admire that art is offered as a creative outlet.”

The resulting exhibition was deeply moving for viewers, many of whom created response art or written reflections expressing empathy, connection, and catharsis. Sarah described the experience as “extremely rewarding” and offered heartfelt thanks to each young artist “for being vulnerable enough to share their personal work.”

Read more about Sarah’s project and the exhibition on the Virginia Wesleyan University website.