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Art from the Heart Celebrates 17 Years of Creativity, Courage, and Community

In September, Friends of Kids with Cancer celebrated the 17th annual Art from the Heart, presented by Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis. This beloved event brought together the community to celebrate the creativity of children affected by pediatric cancer while raising an incredible record-breaking $123,300+ to support Friends’ art therapy program.

Art from the Heart is about so much more than raising funds. It gives young patients and their siblings an opportunity to share their strength, courage, and resilience while making a meaningful impact on the organization that has supported their families. Every year, the event highlights the power of art to connect people, inspire hope, and bring joy to families navigating the challenges of pediatric cancer.

Through guided creative activities and a variety of artistic mediums, art therapists help children communicate feelings that may be difficult to express in words. Art becomes a source of comfort, self-expression, and connection throughout diagnosis and treatment. The artwork featured in the auction is generously contributed by the artists and their families, with local galleries and framing businesses donating their time, materials, and expertise to prepare each piece for display.

This year’s collection showcased the individuality and imagination of each artist, featuring everything from colorful rainbows and portraits of beloved pets to meaningful lyrics and heartfelt poetry. Each young artist received a copy of their original creation during the event’s artist ceremony. In the “Arty Party Room,” artists enjoyed a space of their own to celebrate with friends, share in the excitement, and have their own party while guests bid on their artwork.

We are incredibly grateful to our presenting sponsor, Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis, for making this special evening possible. By hosting the event in its beautiful dealership showroom at no cost to Friends, helping secure donations, providing beverages for the bar, and covering a significant portion of event expenses, Mungenast Lexus of St. Louis plays an essential role in the success of Art from the Heart.

Thank you to every volunteer, committee member, local framing partner, donor, and auction bidder who helped make the 17th annual Art from the Heart our most successful year yet. Your generosity raised a record-breaking $123,300+ and will help ensure children facing pediatric cancer continue to experience the creativity, comfort, and healing that art therapy provides.

All Artwork is Professionally Framed & Generously Donated By: