Children’s Creativity Makes a Difference at Kiddie Academy of Urbana’s 6th Annual Art Show & Charity Auction

On Saturday, August 15, Kiddie Academy of Urbana welcomed families and community members for its 6th Annual Children’s Art Show & Charity Auction, bringing together children’s creativity and a commitment to giving back to the Frederick County community.

From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the academy became a gallery filled with artwork created by every enrolled child, from infants through school age. Families moved through the classrooms and hallways to admire projects created throughout the year, seeing the different ways children express their ideas at every stage of development.

The event offered more than an opportunity to admire artwork. It gave children the chance to see how something they created could become part of a larger effort to help others.

Kiddie Academy of Urbana launched its Children’s Art Show & Charity Auction two years after the academy opened. Since then, the event has become an annual tradition centered on teaching children that creativity can be a force for good.

Each year, the academy partners with a nonprofit organization and uses the event to introduce children and families to the work being done to strengthen the local community.

This year, proceeds benefited Blessings in a Backpack – Frederick Chapter, which works to ensure local children have access to nourishing meals beyond the school week.

The partnership gave this year’s artwork an especially meaningful purpose. Children could see their classroom creations become part of an event that supported other children in their own community.

The Children’s Art Show has also become an important part of Kiddie Academy of Urbana’s broader commitment to community service.

Last year’s event raised $4,300 for Sophie and Madigan’s Playground, demonstrating the continued generosity of Urbana families and community supporters.

This year, the academy raised $2,500 during the event, surpassing its initial fundraising goal. An additional $1,500 was committed through silent auction bids, with those proceeds expected to be finalized by the end of the week. Once finalized, the event is anticipated to raise approximately $4,000 for Blessings in a Backpack – Frederick Chapter.

Local businesses also played an important role in the event by donating prizes for the silent auction. Throughout the morning, families had the opportunity to explore the auction items, admire the children’s artwork, and support the fundraiser.

The event also highlighted the people behind the partnership. Representatives from Blessings in a Backpack – Frederick Chapter joined the Kiddie Academy team to celebrate the children’s work and the community’s support.

For Franchise Owner Namita Shah, the event brings together two things that have always been especially meaningful to her.

That combination of creativity and generosity is what has allowed the Children’s Art Show to become a lasting tradition.

The artwork displayed throughout the academy reflected the developmental stages of the children who created it. Projects encouraged creativity, critical thinking, fine motor development, and confidence while giving children opportunities to explore ideas through art.

But the most important lesson may have happened outside the artwork itself.

By bringing families, educators, local businesses, and nonprofit partners together around a shared cause, children experienced firsthand what it means to be part of a community. They saw adults working together, businesses contributing to a cause, and their own creations becoming part of something larger than themselves.

Six years after the tradition began, Kiddie Academy of Urbana continues to use the Children’s Art Show & Charity Auction as an opportunity to show children that their creativity has purpose, their community matters, and even small acts of generosity can make a difference.