About

In 2001, James and Angela Lowden established a foundation supporting the visual arts. The foundation was created as a result of Angela Lowden’s love of children and her passion for art. The Lowden’s researched art expression programs and contacted experts in the field to help develop their vision of what a school based program would look like. Art Therapy isn’t performed during the sessions but, some of the components of art therapy are used to develop positive outcomes for students. The Lowden’s then partnered with the Mt. Lebanon School District to complete their vision.

The Lowden’s have supported the art expression program through their own efforts to develop and implement the program since 2001. They have believed so faithfully that the program would be successful that they have paid all costs associated with the program since its inception.

Due to the great success of the art expression program, the Mt. Lebanon School District has agreed to implement the program in each of the elementary schools and both middle schools and to share the expenses related to the program beginning in the 2007/08 school year. Enrollment has climbed steadily since the program started and to date has served in excess of 900 students.

The after school art expression program is a fully inclusive program designed to meet the needs of all learners in a noncompetitive setting. It is structured to meet for one and a half hours, one day per week, for six weeks, during both the fall and spring term- The purpose of Art Expression is to increase socialization, self-esteem, and communication skills among students.

The middle school art expression program is based on an open studio approach. Both approaches focus on the process of creating art rather than the final product.