QACHS NAHS Students Partner With Haven Ministries To Share ‘Hope For Homes’ Through Art

The Queen Anne’s County High School Chapter of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS) continues to shine a light in the community through their ongoing partnership with Haven Ministries and their Art for Your Home project. In 2025, students donated 13 framed original soft block prints to support individuals and families in transition—offering not just artwork, but a sense of hope and dignity for those facing financial hardship or moving into permanent housing.

The Hope for the Home extension of the project was established in 2018 through a collaborative effort between QACPS Visual Arts Supervisor Michael Bell, Haven Ministries, the Hope Warehouse, and Rick Strittmater, Executive Director for the Queen Anne’s County Centre for the Arts. It has since become a valued tradition in QACHS’s arts programming, one that allows student artists to earn Service-Learning credit while making a meaningful contribution to their community.

“It’s been incredible to see this meaningful project grow year after year,” said Michael Bell, QACPS Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts. “I’m proud to see our students still partnering with Haven Ministries, and using their talents to bring light and beauty into the homes of those who need it most.”

This year, students learned soft block printing techniques to produce unique, framed works of art for the Haven Ministries Art for Your Home program. These pieces are displayed on the walls of the Hope Warehouse, where clients can select one to take home—free of charge.

“One of my core beliefs as an artist and a teacher is that we can each use our talents and efforts to lift people up and give back to the communities we live in,” said Stephanie Zeiler, QACHS Art Department Chair and QACPS Lead Visual Arts Teacher. “It is my hope to instill community stewardship in my students and show them they can make a positive difference in this world, even at their young age.”

Sophomore NAHS artist Lilly Askew shared, “I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to create art for someone that may not have access to it because of whatever barriers they face. I hope our art makes their space feel a little more like home and helps brighten their walls.”

Peter Grim, Executive Director of Haven Ministries, praised the initiative: “This personalization of space helps to create a feeling of home and develop a sense of worth and value. Without you and so many other wonderful supporters, this important opportunity would not exist.”

Through compassion and creativity, QACHS students continue to leave a lasting impact—one artwork at a time.