From Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation: Young Hearts, Mindful Starts

Via email

February 2026

Foundation UPDATE

Dear Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation Family,

The month of February and its emphasis on love is a perfect time to celebrate the arts. We agree with Marc Chagall, “In the arts, as in life, everything is possible provided it is based on love.” The life of a child revolves around learning … and our greatest hope is that children love to learn & that they are successful. But for the very young (and their parents) getting ready to enter the world of formal schooling may seem like a daunting task. Yet wise educators know that children need to learn some basic human skills like how to control their minds & their bodies before they can successfully master the required "Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic" curricula. In fact, research indicates that teaching young children mindfulness techniques (e.g., as deep breathing, mindful listening, yoga poses, etc.) results in improved self-regulation, attention span, cognitive flexibility/problem solving & social-emotional skills as well as reduced stress levels & behavioral issues. Through mindfulness, the crucial foundation for becoming a successful learner is forged.

To celebrate the month of February, we are featuring two of our sponsored programs for the young at heART.

We hope your February is one filled with love and beautiful art!

Judy Primavera, Fred Hulley, Kari Hulley Nardone, and the
Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation Board of Directors

FEATURED PROGRAMs
Mindful Movement at Mary L. Tracy School

67 Pre-K students participated in a 4-week Mindful Movement: Yoga & Creative Expression program that we sponsored for the first time at Mary L. Tracy School in Orange CT. Each week under the direction of a professional teaching artist, the children learned yoga poses, breathing techniques & mindfulness practices. Each class integrated storytelling, music, & imaginative play into movement and focused on themes of kindness, balance, calm & confidence.

School Readiness through Dance at Hall Neighborhood House

Since 2019, 4 year olds at Hall Neighborhood House in Bridgeport have developed important school readiness skills through our mindfulness-based dance class. With dance instructor, Kristie Entwistle, & their classroom teachers as their guides, 30 preschoolers in Hall’s Early Learning program learn to control their minds, their bodies & their emotions in addition to learning letters, numbers, how to spell their name, vocabulary, paying attention, following directions, cooperating with peers, self-confidence, and a host of other important school readiness skills.

Annual Keep the Arts Blooming Raffle
Tickets on sale: March 17
Drawing: May 5

Annual Evening for the Arts Gala
A Woodstock Generation Rock Experience
Saturday, September 19, 2026

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 COMMU NITY SPONSORS
We are deeply grateful to the organizations and businesses that have made our mission possible:

Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation

Frontier Communications Employee Community Service Fund
Graphicways Design • New England Performance Insulation • Opus: Advice First
Pine Brook Design • Sikorsky Credit Union

Disruptive Nutrition • Dominate the Day Foundation • Elm City Fitness
Erector Square • Laticrete • Napoli Motors • Rotary Club of Orange • Santa Energy

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

Click Here to Donate

For more information
visit our website, email us
or call us at (203) 891-8869

The Jamie Hulley Arts Foundation is a non-profit organization providing opportunities to young artists and early career professionals to expand their talents and pursue their dreams.