It takes heart to spread the love for art.
Mia Meulen, a 15-year-old visual artist from the USA, led a free watercolor workshop for participating children, including those within the autism community.
“I think art is a really easy thing for everyone to bond over and you don’t really need to talk because the art kind of does the talking. Even a small form of expressing their favorite color can help them. If they don’t feel comfortable verbally expressing it, they can express it on a piece of paper,” Meulen said.
Done in collaboration with Art Heals and Autism Hearts Philippines on Saturday, June 14, 2026, Meulen and her family provided all participants with art supplies to take home, encouraging them to keep exploring their artistic talents.
The activity at the Podium Hotel, themed “Art: A Language of Love,” brought together young art enthusiasts aged 10 to 15 years old for an afternoon of creative exploration and practical art lessons.
Meulen, a Pennsylvania native who attends an international school, discovered her love for art through her father and older brother. After volunteering with a special needs program, “Best Buddies,” she recognized how creative outlets provide a voice for children who struggle to communicate verbally.
For the families involved, the event was more than a simple afternoon activity, offering an opportunity for community connection, personal breakthroughs, and socialization.
Melanie Baniwas, a mother of a child with autism and the event coordinator, said, “If there are activities like this, at least we just have to bring our kids and they get to have experiences, which we cannot really make them experience at home. Also, being around other kids is also good because they get to socialize and also connect,” highlighting the importance of awareness while expressing her appreciation to the organizers for their considerable investment in the community.
Meulen reached out to Art Heals and Autism Hearts Philippines, and private individuals helped fund the event.
The Podium Hotel hosted the exhibition area for the works of the participants, displaying watercolor paintings for the month of June. By: Stesha Lev Tamangen, UC Intern
