ART To HeART x Kids On Point: Inspiring Young Creators
- Nailah Herbert
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
For many young people, art begins as a form of self-expression—a way to explore ideas, emotions, and imagination. Through NobleSol Art Group’s signature youth development initiative, Art to HeART, students discover that creativity can become much more: a source of confidence, leadership, and opportunity.
Founded by Executive Creative Director Okeeba Jubalo, Art to HeART was created to help young people see themselves not only as artists, but as innovators, entrepreneurs, and storytellers. The program combines visual arts education with mentorship and entrepreneurship, helping students understand that creativity is a skill that can shape their future.
“Our instructional model is grounded in the reality of becoming a successful, highly functional creative professional,” said Okeeba Jubalo, Founder & Executive Creative Director of NobleSol Art Group. “We pair theory with practical, repetitious practice within a nurturing environment driven by focus and accountability. I look forward to building a strong partnership with Kids On Point as we apply my three decades of experience as an arts leader to establishing the Lowcountry as a creative powerhouse.”
This summer, NobleSol Art Group partnered with Kids On Point, a Charleston-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through education, mentorship, athletics, and life skills development, to bring Art to HeART to middle school students. The collaboration provided students with an immersive creative experience designed to encourage self-expression, critical thinking, and personal growth.
Building a Bridge Between Creativity and Opportunity
The partnership was sparked through the efforts of Craig Ascue, a business owner, community development advocate, and former Charleston County School Board member, who recognized the shared commitment between NobleSol Art Group and Kids On Point.
Ascue has long believed that meaningful youth development extends beyond traditional classrooms. Through his experiences growing up in the East Cooper area, serving his community, and working with education leaders, he saw the value of creating opportunities where young people could discover their talents and build confidence.
“I made the introduction because I believed each organization could strengthen the other’s impact on young people in our community,” Ascue said. “Kids On Point creates environments where children can grow. Okeeba creates opportunities for young people to see themselves differently through creativity. When those two missions come together, students gain more than an art lesson. They gain another language to express their ideas, emotions, dreams, and identity.”
For Ascue, the connection represented the power of community leaders working together to create access and opportunity for young people.
“My role was simply to help two outstanding organizations find one another,” he said. “The impact belongs to the students whose lives are enriched because of that collaboration.”
Beyond the Canvas: The Vision Behind Art to HeART
Art to HeART was designed to move beyond traditional art instruction. While students explored foundational concepts such as color theory, composition, and visual storytelling, they also learned how to develop ideas, communicate their vision, manage creative projects, and present their work professionally.
Through each lesson, students were encouraged to trust their creativity and recognize the value of their perspectives. The program reinforced an important message: creativity is not simply something students practice—it is something they can build upon.
A key component of Art to HeART is introducing students to the business side of creativity. By learning how artists develop concepts, meet deadlines, and share their work with others, participants gained insight into the creative economy and began to understand how artistic skills can translate into future opportunities.
Jubalo emphasized that exposing young people to both the artistic and entrepreneurial sides of creativity is essential to building stronger communities.
“Our team has been laser-focused on elevating North Charleston into the premier epicenter of arts and culture in the South,” Jubalo said. “Engaging our youth—exposing them not just to the arts, but to the vital business and economics behind them—is essential to building a thriving creative community.”
Creating Confidence Through the Creative Process
Throughout the multi-week program, students created original artwork that reflected their unique experiences and perspectives. Each project challenged participants to embrace experimentation, solve creative problems, and follow their ideas from concept to completion.
When students needed additional time to refine their projects, NobleSol Art Group extended workshop sessions to ensure they had the opportunity to fully develop their work. The decision reinforced a real-world lesson: meaningful creative work requires dedication, adaptability, and patience.
The program culminated in a student exhibition, transforming the classroom into a gallery where participants proudly showcased their artwork to family members, mentors, and the Kids On Point community.
For many students, the exhibition was their first opportunity to experience what it means to present their work in a professional setting. More than displaying artwork, the event celebrated confidence, perseverance, and the courage to share their creative voices.
Capturing the Journey Through Photography
Katrina Crawford, Director of Photography and Visual Storyteller for Art to HeART, documented the students’ experiences throughout the program, capturing their creative process, growth, and transformation.
In addition to photographing the workshops and final exhibition, Crawford introduced students to photography techniques and visual storytelling methods, helping them understand how images can communicate emotion, perspective, and meaning.
“I wanted to capture the heart behind the work: the concentration, curiosity, connection, and pride that developed as the students explored their creativity and learned to tell stories through their own lens,” Crawford said.
Crawford said one of the most meaningful aspects of the experience was watching students become more comfortable expressing themselves.
“Some began quietly, observing and figuring out where they fit within the process,” she said. “As the program continued, you could see their confidence growing, not only in the artwork they were creating, but also in the way they carried themselves and interacted with one another.”
Through her photography, Crawford preserved the moments that reflected the deeper impact of the program—the excitement of discovering a new idea, the encouragement students gave one another, and the pride they felt in their accomplishments.
“I have always believed that photography does more than prove that something happened,” Crawford said. “At its best, it preserves how an experience felt.”
She added that the images represent more than documentation of a program.
“They are evidence of investment—investment in creativity, confidence, relationships, and the future of each student involved,” Crawford said.
Expanding Art to HeART Through Community Partnership
The success of Art to HeART’s summer experience was strengthened through its partnership with Kids On Point, whose commitment to youth development aligned with NobleSol Art Group’s mission of expanding access to meaningful creative opportunities.
Working alongside Jubalo were Dylan Woodward, Director of Programs at Kids On Point, and Tenise Holloway, North Charleston Program Director. Together, they helped create an environment where creativity, learning, and personal development could flourish.
Jubalo credited the partnership as an example of what is possible when organizations unite around a shared vision for young people.
“Kids On Point is taking significant strides to provide students with access to crucial programming that is far too often absent from traditional classroom experiences,” Jubalo said. “True impact happens when passionate leaders lock arms for a shared vision.”
He added, “When you cultivate a culture of creativity, discipline, and support, you give young people the blueprint to transform their own lives and our community.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Creators
Through Art to HeART, NobleSol Art Group continues to redefine what arts education can look like. The program provides students with more than artistic skills—it gives them the confidence to think creatively, solve problems, and recognize their own potential.
As NobleSol Art Group expands Art to HeART into schools, nonprofits, and community organizations, the program serves as a reminder that investing in creativity is investing in the future.
“When we invest in a young person’s creative voice, we aren't just teaching them how to make art—we are teaching them how to think, innovate, and lead,” Jubalo said. “Art to HeART is about breaking down the wall between creative expression and real-world execution. As we expand this program into more schools and communities, our focus remains unchanged: to empower the next generation with the tools, discipline, and vision required to build a future of their own design.”
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