Works of Heart on a special FLEA® ukulele canvas. Inspired by KENNA, a courageous child from Montana and former patient at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Best viewed on FULL SCREEN. See short video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DaeX6fjfnTE Please help us donate FLEA® ukuleles to pediatric hospital music therapy. Visit GoFundMe campaign at the link below and invite others. Keep the inspiration and impact flowing! https://www.gofundme.com/ukuleleshospitalMT See who is helping by viewing and subscribing to GoFundMe "updates": click the tab under the campaign headline image. Additional recognition is posted on our blog site: https://truejoyacoustics.wordpress.com/ Learn more about FLEA ukuleles and True Joy Acoustics: http://www.truejoyacoustics.com. We have been donating special instruments to hospital music therapy since 2009. BUYING a FLEA® ukulele from True Joy Acoustics not only treats yourself or others to a special instrument, but also supports hospital donations at no extra cost. Convenient links to Amazon and eBay listings are on the website. NOTE: This presentation originally posted on July 17, 2016. This is the updated version for BOOKLETS shared with participants, sponsors and other community members. As of November 2017, the GoFundMe campaign reached the fundraising goal based on committed pledges of financial support, including special "gift-in-kind" instruments used for Music Therapy. However, it is never too late to join! The campaign will remain online perpetually for others to discover and "roar louder than a lion" past the original goal. We are deeply appreciative of the many sponsors who continue to share and grow the impact of this project. We are grateful to the various Public Display venues (shown near end of presentation) who feature these inspirational "ukulele artworks" and why they were created. ©2017 True Joy Acoustics, LLC. All Rights Reserved. All artwork, images and narratives are shared with exclusive permission. Reproduction is strictly prohibited.

2. About True Joy Acoustics, LLC
True Joy Acoustics sells a special line of musical instruments: FLEA® ukuleles
made in the USA by The Magic Fluke Co. Perfect for players of any ability.
Ideal “tools” for supporting music therapy in critical healthcare settings.
BUYERS love their FLEA® and aid hospital ukulele donations at no extra cost.
SPONSORS (people, organizations) amplify patient reach and therapeutic joy.
PROJECTS like “ukulele art” weave an even broader community of care.
Inspiration
This project honors Kenna, a courageous girl from a loving family in Montana.
The Student Artists
We are grateful for the talents shared by 7th and 8th grade art students and
their teacher at Lakota Ridge Jr. School (2015/16 term) in West Chester, Ohio.
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©2017 True Joy Acoustics, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Printed by Bethart Printing Solutions, West Chester, Ohio USA.
All artwork, images and narratives are shared with exclusive permission. Reproduction is strictly prohibited.

3. Welcome
Ukulele Art. Works of Heart.
This is the complete gallery BOOKLET.
View ONLINE at: www.truejoyacoustics.com
See and share the 2 minute TRAILER for a quick view.
Please consider supporting our hospital ukulele
donations. Let’s make every brush stroke count.
Ukulele Art - Lakota Ridge Jr. TRAILER
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4. Preface
Music therapy nourishes the soul of patients and families
facing serious illness. It promotes healing, humanity and joy.
3
We first asked
professional artist,
illustrator and
author of treasured
children’s books,
Johanna Wright, to
depict that joy on a
“ukulele canvas”.

5. 4
Artistic Inspiration
Johanna’s art moved us to honor a special girl who painted
her music therapy ukulele and pass the paint brush to others.
Kenna, a former patient at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Medical Center, created artistic flair on her ukulele. She also
inscribed a message: “Work Hard … You’ll Get Through This!”
We invited school artists to keep Kenna’s inspiration flowing.

6. Meet Kenna
Kenna was from Montana. She courageously faced a difficult
health battle at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
5

7. Meet Brian
Brian Schreck, MA, MT-BC is a board certified music therapist.
He helps children cope. Life can get hard, scary or just slow.
Music therapy lifts moods that are low.
Brian’s innovative spirit
and role inspired us to
begin donating FLEA®
brand ukuleles to
Cincinnati Children’s
Hospital Medical
Center in May 2010.
6

8. Kenna’s Ukulele
Music Therapy was special to Kenna and her family. Playing
ukulele became difficult. But with help from Brian, she created
visual ways to express herself.
7

9. Ukulele Art
Painting a ukulele isn’t novel.
But Kenna and Brian created
something special during
music therapy moments.
We celebrate it.
FLEA® ukuleles provide a
canvas for rich expression.
You’ll see.
8

10. 9
Student Artists in this Project
Art teacher Amy Panfalone at Lakota Ridge Jr. School invited
her seventh and eighth grade students to participate.
Designs were created on a paper outline of the ukulele top:
The range of emotions that accompany illness and healing
The ripple effect of a caring heart
How music soothes the soul
Children helping children through recovery

11. 10
We Needed an ART JURY
Energy and talent for this project soared … 27 designs.
Art jurors helped us pick 4 designs for actual ukulele painting.
Their natural wood tops were custom prepped for best results.

12. Who Served on the ART JURY?
Professionals that serve and inspire children of all abilities via
the power of music and art therapy, illustration, storytelling.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital:
• Deborah Benkovitz
• Brian Schreck
• Jennifer Seley
• Caleb Hastings
• Beth Harman
• Caitlin Krater
• Gina Roell
Seattle Children’s Hospital:
• David Knott
• Betsy Hartman
• Rosalie Frankel
• Helena Hillinga Haas
Children’s Book Author/Illustrator:
• Johanna Wright
And special guest: Kimber Emmons … Kenna’s mother
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13. 12
Enter the Art Gallery
1. PREPARE FOR A HEART-STIRRING EXPERIENCE
2. PACE YOURSELF TO TAKE IN EACH MESSAGE
If viewing ONLINE, 27 artworks auto advance in about 6
minutes total. Use controls to pause, go back or speed up.
3. TELL US YOUR FAVORITES
Vote, scan, email ballot to: info@truejoyacoustics.com
4. PLEASE SHARE WITH OTHERS
Find social media links at: www.truejoyacoustics.com

14. 13
Ukulele Art Jury BALLOT
Your Name: __________________________ Please CIRCLE Top 3 Picks
01
08
15
22
02
09
16
23
03
10
17
24
04
11
18
25
05
12
19
26
06
13
20
27
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14
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n END
Artwork Number (NOT page):
PAUSE TO PRINT OR COPY. Email completed ballot: info@truejoyacoustics.com

15. 01
I like art because I can develop
my hands more and it is fun to
draw. I came up with this design
because I like to design with
shapes and enjoy drawing
hearts and flowers. Music helps
me when I am tired or not
feeling well by making me feel
happy when I hear the sound of
the singer’s voice.
Marialinda
14

16. 02
The hand represents the people
who always show love and
continually have their arms
open to those in need. The
colors symbolize how big the
effect a small, random act of
kindness can give. The ukulele
design reminds the beholder to
stay positive, and keep going.
Keegan
15

17. 03
I drew music notes around the
ukulele to symbolize how music
is everywhere around us. There
are hearts at the top and the
bottom to show how music
soothes the soul and can help
with healing.
Faith
16

18. 04
I used color to symbolize all of
the different emotions. The
sadder emotions are blue near
the bottom and happier
emotions near the top. Children
join hands and dance with the
music.
Jenna
17

19. 05
The sections in my drawing
show love, anger, and sadness.
These are all emotions someone
may feel when facing an illness.
The message in the center
reminds them to be positive
and they can get through it!
Sarah
18

20. 06
This picture depicts a heart
being torn apart by the news of
a deadly disease. However, the
heart is still beating. Although
the disease takes its toll on the
body it can never rip away
hope.
Emilia
19

21. 07
This drawing illustrates the range
of emotions that go through a
kid’s mind when they are sick.
All of the designs I drew have
an up and down motion. This
symbolizes the ups and down
feelings a patient may go
through.
Brady
20

22. 08
Each section represents a
different emotion. Happy –
when you find a cure or are
healed. Sad – when you
discover a problem. Be Strong –
you must be strong to fight the
illness. While many more, I
focused on these because they
are important to life.
Zach
21

23. 09
In this drawing there is a well
child and a sick child. They are
sad because they are friends
and they cannot see each
other in the hospital. They wish
to be more happy. They decide
to think of something fun and
easy, that they both can do.
They think of a ukulele. The sun
is shining bright, gradually
covering the darkness.
Andrew
22

24. 10
This drawing has a heart and
music notes. The music notes
are 8th notes. I chose 8th notes
to show how music can help
speed healing because these
type of notes are played fast. It
also shows how music is
enjoyable and can make you
happy, forgetting any pain or
problems you may have. It can
help you heal by making you
feel better.
Blake
23

25. 11
My design incorporates three of
the themes. It shows the ripple
effect of a caring heart and the
colors illustrate the emotions the
kids may feel. The feelings can
come out through music and
branch out to other emotions.
Yellow – Joy of Playing, Blue –
sadness, Red – frustration
learning to play, Green –
determination and hard work.
Isaac
24

26. 12
My ukulele design represents
children helping other children
work through the range of
emotions that go through illness.
The children show each other
they care. This is shown with the
children holding hands and
hearts between them.
Stephanie
25

27. 13
Music can help soothe the soul
by helping children recover and
take their mind off the sickness.
My picture shows an ocean
with a sunset, a tranquil and
peaceful setting. It reminds
children to have fun and do
things they like.
Cole
26

28. 14
Hearts fill the entire space
showing how loving and care
can fill empty spaces. There are
large and small hearts showing
that an act of kindness, whether
big or small, can make a big
difference to someone in need.
Brielle
27

29. 15
My design represents the wide
range of emotions that people
go through when experiencing
illness. Even though there may
be lots of sadness, happiness
can always be found and is
always around you.
Ronit
28

30. 16
The ripple effect is shown
through shading. It shows that
one person’s hard times can
reach other people who care
and are willing to help out and
help make someone’s life
better. One person’s story can
easily reach another, and so on,
causing a ripple effect.
Jerrica
29

31. 17
The scenery in my drawing
represents peace, the sunset is
playing a beautiful song.
Prisha
30

32. 18
Just like you can pick a flower
and share it with someone, you
can also share your heart/love.
You can share your heart by
listening and caring for them,
helping them to recover.
Hannah
31

33. 19
My picture illustrates the ripple
effect of emotions during the
process of healing. The sun
represents hope or a cure. The
red represents anger, while the
blue represents sadness. The
purple is a mixture of the colors
and shows how all of the
emotions come together
turning to hope above.
Siddharth
32

34. 20
This illustration shows the range
of emotions children
experience during illness and
also how they act due to how
they feel. The brightness or tint
of each color shows how
intense each feeling is.
Evan
33

35. 21
This design shows hope that
children have within them and
how being happy and positive
helps with recovery. It shows
bright and happy emotions.
Evan
34

36. 22
This shows emotions from the
heart. Half of the heart is happy
and joyful for all the things
ahead while the other half
shows darkness, but readiness
for new beginnings. The quote is
an encouraging message to
help with recovery.
Sofia
35

37. 23
I drew the design to represent
the music from the outside
soothing the soul found in the
center.
Joshua
36

38. 24
I drew a heart and a bunch of
music notes to symbolize how
music surrounds the heart and
helps people feel better and
heal.
Kati
37

39. 25
Music can help anyone and put
them in a better mood. I drew a
heart with headphones to show
how music can soothe the soul.
Bailey
38

40. 26
This ukulele’s overall feeling is
peacefulness. It shows how
beautiful and nice life can be. It
also uses a variety of colors that
could represent different
emotions.
Hunter
39

41. 27
The hearts symbolize love and
care. The color pattern on the
sides shows how the love
radiates outward.
Marcus
40

42. ART JURY Selections Follow
Jot down your votes before proceeding.
41

43. "These are all fantastic! It was so hard to choose. So many remarkable works
of art. My hat's off to every artist!”
Deborah Benkovitz, LSW, MT-BC – Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
“Just amazed, looking again and again at all these designs, and honestly,
each one communicates so much and has some feature that is catching.”
David Knott, MT-BC – Seattle Children’s Hospital
“I really love this! This symmetrical design, the colors and the strong feeling
and emotion behind this piece is really lovely (design #01).”
Johanna Wright (Portland, OR) – Children's Book Author, Illustrator, Artist
Johanna provided feedback to every student
"WOW! Thank you for the inspired beauty of all of this!”
Kimber Emmons – Kenna's mother
42

44. Ukulele Art in the Making
43

45. Amy Panfalone and Art Students
44

46. Marialinda
I am Marialinda. I am from Guatemala. My
hobbies are listening to music, drawing and
dancing, and sometimes I like to play games
like cards or soccer when I have time.
I like to help others when they need help
because it makes me feel happy to help
other people so they are not alone in the
world.
One day I would like to learn more about
how to dance because it inspires me. I like all
music because sometimes music has words
that talk about things that happen to us.
45

47. Brielle
My name is Brielle. I am in the 8th grade at
Lakota Ridge Junior School. I am a gymnast,
cheerleader and I run track. I am in all
advanced classes. I’m the second youngest
of four siblings, two sisters, one brother.
I like tumbling, listening to music, reading,
and while I may not be considered an artist,
I enjoy doodling and coloring, too.
I am so thankful that I got to participate in
this project because it was very fun. It was
unlike any art project I’d ever done before
and I love how the finished product looks.
46

48. Ronit
My name is Ronit, I am 14 years old and I
am an 8th grader at Lakota Ridge Junior
School. My favorite subjects in school are art
and gym.
I play tennis year round and am ranked top
200 in the nation, in my age group.
This project has been really cool because it
allows me to help kids in need, while doing
something that I think is fun.
47

49. Stephanie
Hi, I’m Stephanie and I go to Lakota Ridge. I
feel like I have good grades. A’s and B’s. I
really like elephants, my goal is to ride one!
I like to draw and read in my free time. When
I think about my career, I think about being a
cardiologist. I’m fascinated about how the
heart works.
I’m very honored to be picked for the ukulele
project. I’m very happy that the children from
Children’s Hospital learn that the art of music
can help in many ways. I’m grateful that I’m
helping others in need of support.
48

50. Works of Heart
49

51. Artworks to Display, Play and Love
50

52. Ukulele Artworks on Public Tour
51
MidPointe Library
West Chester, Ohio
The Public Library of
Cincinnati and
Hamilton County
Sharonville branch

53. Ukulele Artworks on Public Tour
52
Fairfield
Community Arts
Center atrium
Fairfield, Ohio

54. Kenna Emmons
[2002 – 2011]
This project is dedicated to Kenna. She inspired joy, hard work
and all to keep their “heads up, hearts strong”.
“Inspiration exists, but it
has to find you working.”
- Pablo Picasso
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55. What’s Next?
The answer is up to you.
Plus others you invite.
Let’s honor Kenna and the work of these students & teacher.
Share and inspire others:
Your purchase or sponsorship of FLEA® ukuleles amplifies the
impact of their creativity with more hospital instruments.
Every instrument counts. It touches many young lives.
Ukulele Art - Lakota Ridge Jr. GALLERY
54

56. Make a Heartfelt Difference
We offer EASY ways to sponsor FLEA® brand ukuleles
for hospital music therapy. They go into service FAST.
Learn more at: www.truejoyacoustics.com
Supply one or a set of ukuleles by making a
“designated use” gift to participating hospital
Contribute any dollar amount with PayPal
Fund a BIG instrument set with others