Start with Art

01/10/2026

Today we had our board meeting, and as most of you know, every single one of us on this board has separate jobs, responsibilities, families, children… all the things on top of Start With Art. So this morning we decided a Zoom meeting was the best bet, and honestly… it was a reminder of something really important.

Even when you’re running a company, running a family, going to work, volunteering, and being everything to everyone, you still have to make time for yourself and adjust when you need to. Sometimes shifting looks like choosing a Zoom meeting instead of stressing yourself out driving into town, and trying to be “all the things.” We’re learning to work smarter, not harder, and protect our time and energy so we can keep showing up for the mission.

We talked about some really exciting things today — especially our Benefit Concert coming up in July, and all of the community events we want to be a part of like the RCU Business Expo, the Wi******er Monument Lighting, the Block Party and so much more. We’re also creating art shows for the youth AND for the adults in our community, because creativity and healing aren’t just for kids, we all need it.

We also talked about the community garden along side Wi******er Community High School updates and the impact Start With Art has made in 2025… and when we said it out loud, it honestly blew me away.

Over 1,100 kids impacted this year.
That is INSANE. 💛🎨

And I’m so excited because we’re also going to be getting official board photos done by a local photographer, Devon Jones Photography (so grateful for local support!). Once those photos are finished, we’re going to start doing board member highlights so you can see the face behind the mission, the people helping make all of this possible.

I’m just so thankful for this board, for the support, and for every person who believes in what we’re building. We’re growing, we’re learning, and we’re making a real difference… one kid, one family, one art project at a time. 💛

To learn more about us or how to donate please visit:
Indianastartwithart.org or checks can be mailed to

Start with Art
105 N Meridian street
Wi******er In 47394

Our mission is to enable young individuals to develop healthy coping strategies that will benefit them throughout their lives.

01/09/2026

MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY — FREE TEEN SKATE NIGHT!

We’re so excited to invite Randolph County 8th–12th grade students to a night focused on connection, movement, and mental wellness

📅 January 12, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Starlite Skating Rink

FREE admission
FREE skate rental
FREE drink provided

This event is all about creating a safe, welcoming space where teens can unwind, have fun, and be reminded they’re not alone 💛

A huge THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors and partners for making this possible:
🛼 StarLite Skating Rink
🎨 Start With Art
🌅 Chasing Sunsets Inc
🏗️ TK Constructors

📣Please help us spread the word by sharing!
Because mental health matters — especially for our youth.

01/09/2026

Big Things Are Growing at Start with Art: Feeding Thinkers Community Garden !!!

Today we had an incredible and productive meeting with our Start With Art Feeding Thinkers Community Garden Group, and we are feeling so grateful and excited about what’s ahead. Together, we finalized plans for our upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony, reviewed last-minute supplies, and identified additional grant opportunities that will help us cross the finish line and sustain this project long-term.

This garden has always been about more than plants—it’s about people, connection, and nourishment. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing details on:
🌼 How you can donate
🌼 How to sponsor a garden bed
🌼 And how this space will directly support our community by providing fresh, healthy produce, especially helping fill the weekend food gap for local kids.

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to the many partners who have helped make this vision a reality:

🛠 Falcon Industries for completing our outdoor equipment box, which will help keep our tools organized and accessible at the garden.

👕 Apache Design for creating our Start With Art Feeding Thinkers Community t-shirts and our beautiful garden banner, which will proudly represent this project in the space.

🐝 Modoc Gardens for supplying resources for our pollinator garden, helping us support bees, butterflies, and the overall health of our ecosystem.

🌿 Naylor Nursery and Skulls for her expertise, generosity, and hands-on support especially with our watering system and seeds. Her knowledge has been invaluable in helping this garden thrive.

This project would not be possible without the grants from Reid Health, along with the incredible sponsors and donors who continue to believe in our mission.

Now, we need YOU.

Your support, whether through donations, sponsorships, volunteering, or sharing our story, will help ensure this garden becomes a lasting, sustainable community resource. Together, we can grow food, build connections, and make sure families and children in our community have access to fresh produce when they need it most.

Stay tuned there’s so much more to come, and we can’t wait to grow this with you.

To donate:

https://startwithart.networkforgood.com/projects/247931-general-fund

To Volunteer:

https://form.jotform.com/253423354387157

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Event:
Start with Art feeding Thinkers Community Garden Ribbon Cutting

01/09/2026

Huge Thank You to a Local Business That Gives Back!

We want to send a HUGE thank you to TK Constructors out of Yorktown for their generous sponsorship and support of our mission.

TK Constructors is a local construction company that truly believes in building more than just projects, they believe in building up their community. Their hard work, dedication, and willingness to give back make such a difference, and we are so grateful for their support.

Because of their donation, we’re able to continue creating safe, creative spaces for kids to express themselves, build confidence, and learn healthy coping skills through art. This kind of support helps us reach more youth and continue doing what we love.

We’re incredibly thankful for businesses like TK Constructors who show up for their community and invest in our kids.

👉 Be sure to check them out:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CRx7bBcqX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thank you, TK Constructors, for believing in our kids and in what we do!!

To learn more about us or how to donate please visit:
Indianastartwithart.org

Or donations can be mailed to
Start with Art
105 N Meridian st
Wi******er In 47394

01/07/2026

What an incredible morning spent at Northblock Coffee Co, where hours were filled with meaningful conversations about how we can continue making our community stronger together. Business owners, nonprofits, and organizations came together to collaborate, dream, and plan for the future.

Partners like Randolph County Early Care & Learning, Start with Art, Bee Wings & Fuzzy Things, Hines Homestead & sweet treats, joined forces to begin shaping ideas for 2026, exploring creative ways to promote early literacy, art, and connection. Alongside our friends at Heart of Indiana United Way, we shared ideas, perspectives, spaces, and resources. Each of us bringing something unique to the table.

We brainstormed how to create welcoming, creative spaces that encourage early literacy, inspire artistic collaboration, strengthen community, and bring families together. These conversations remind us that when we collaborate with intention, we can build something truly impactful for the people we serve.

Grateful for partnerships, shared vision, and a community that believes in growing together. This is just the beginning. Stay tuned 🙂

01/07/2026

We want to say a huge THANK YOU to Wi******er Northwest Bank for choosing our nonprofit, Start With Art, as one of the organizations they donated funds to.

Because of amazing organizations, businesses, and individuals who believe in our mission, we are able to continue showing up for our community and our kids through art. We truly could not do this work without you.

If you are able, please consider donating to Start With Art. We are 100% volunteer-based with zero paid employees, which means every single dollar donated goes directly back into our programs and the children we serve.

To learn more about who we are or how to donate toward our mission, please visit

https://indianastartwithart.org

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in us and the power of art. ❤️

01/06/2026

What an amazing morning meeting with artist Selena Burk!

We were able to start planning for a Children and Adult Art Show, dream up future art classes that incorporate famous artists, and talk through exciting possibilities for collaborating with artists in our area to come teach and share their gifts.

At Start with Art, we truly believe that everything we do is art, from creating and learning, to connecting and healing and this conversation reflected that belief in the best way.

We are so excited and honored to welcome Selena as one of our Start with Art board members. Her creativity, heart, and passion for community align so beautifully with our mission, and we can’t wait to see all the magic ahead

To learn more about us or how to support our mission please visit: Indianastartwithart.org

01/06/2026

Thinking about joining 4-H? Already a member and looking ahead to the new year?We invite families to attend our 4-H Enrollment Night & Open House to learn more about everything 4-H has to offer!
📅 Event Details
Date: January 15
Time: 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Location: Randolph County Fairgrounds
1885 South US Hwy 27, Wi******er, IN 47394

💚 What Is 4-H?
4-H is a youth development program that helps young people build confidence, leadership, and life skills through hands-on learning.
🍀 Mini 4-H: Grades K–2
🍀 4-H: Grades 3–12

🎯 What You’ll Learn at the Open House
🍀What 4-H is and how to get involved
🍀Information about community clubs and project-based clubs
🍀Meet local 4-H club leaders and volunteers
🍀Ask questions about enrollment, projects, and activities
Each club will host a booth so families can explore their options and learn more.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who Should Attend?
🍀Families new to 4-H
🍀Returning 4-H families
🍀Youth interested in hands-on learning, leadership, and fun
🍀All families are welcome!
📞 Questions?
Contact: Julie Wilson
Jelsbury@purdue.edu
765-584-2271
🍀 Randolph County 4-H – Purdue Extension

01/04/2026

A core component of our Monday Mental Health Teen Nights is substance-use prevention through connection, education, and healthy coping strategies. With support from Drug Free Randolph County, we are able to intentionally design these nights as safe, welcoming spaces where teens can talk openly about stress, emotions, peer pressure, and real-life challenges.

During Teen Nights, prevention is woven naturally into the experience through guided conversations, creative expression, and peer-supported activities. Teens explore topics such as decision-making, boundaries, self-esteem, and managing anxiety — all critical protective factors that help reduce the risk of substance use. Art becomes a bridge for discussion, allowing teens to process difficult feelings without judgment and learn healthier ways to cope.

The grant funding also allows us to provide positive, substance-free social experiences that give teens an alternative to risky environments. By building trust with caring adults and forming meaningful peer connections, teens are reminded they are not alone and that support is available.

We are grateful for the opportunity to strengthen prevention efforts through our Monday Mental Health Teen Nights and thankful to Drug Free Randolph County for investing in the long-term well-being of our teens and our community.

To donate please visit:
Indianastartwithart.org

Or donations can be mailed to
Start With Art
105 N Meridian
Wi******er In 47394

01/03/2026

Did you know that Start With Art’s leadership extends far beyond our own organization? Our Board Secretary and CEO don’t just serve Start With Art, they are also actively involved on multiple boards, including Wi******er Main Street. Wi******er Main Street is truly an amazing organization to be a part of. It’s made up of normal, passionate people coming together with one shared goal: making our community the best it can be.

From supporting the local Farmers Market that brings together farmers, makers, families, and neighbors, to hosting events throughout the year that bring life, joy, and connection to downtown, Wi******er Main Street plays a huge role in strengthening our local economy and sense of community. The organization does so much good for local businesses while also creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for community members of all ages.

I highly recommend looking into Wi******er Main Street, whether that’s volunteering, showing up to events, or even serving on their board. Being part of something bigger, working alongside others who genuinely care, and helping shape the future of our community is incredibly rewarding. This kind of leadership and collaboration is exactly what Start With Art believes in: community, creativity, and showing up for one another. 💛

01/02/2026

Virtual Support Group for individuals who have lost a loved one to su***de

Meetings will be held via Zoom using the information below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87890227987?pwd=IPiTeIqvZMmTFXDlUk4vS7SI3mubhl.1

Meeting ID: 878 9022 7987

Passcode: 434165