Check Out Theo Schwartz’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Theo Schwartz.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was fortunate to study studio art at NYU, and for a long time, I pictured myself as a painter in the gallery world. That was the dream—or so I thought. But in my senior year, everything changed. I started volunteering at a family shelter in the city, teaching art to children and families who were living through incredibly difficult circumstances. That experience opened something in me I didn’t know was there. It felt like the most meaningful thing I had ever done. In that moment, I knew my path had changed—I didn’t just want to make art, I wanted to use it to make a difference. I wanted to become a teacher.
I went back to school, earned my master’s in education, and then spent the next 20 years teaching art in Oakland public elementary schools. I primarily worked with K-5 students—thousands of them over the years—and every day brought new challenges and deep joy. Still, I never stopped thinking about those early days in the shelter, and how powerful it was to share art in that space.
Two years ago, I took a leap of faith. I founded Big Heart Art and moved to Denver with a vision: to bring art to underserved communities and create healing through creativity. Now, I lead workshops in women’s and youth shelters across the city, helping people use art to express, process, and heal. We also distribute free art supplies so that people can continue creating in their own time—because art isn’t just a luxury, it’s a lifeline. It’s a tool for survival, reflection, and self-worth.
Art has the power to change lives. I’ve seen it. I believe with every fiber of my being that art is a human right. Everyone—regardless of where they live, what they’ve been through, or how much money they have—deserves access to making and experiencing art.
This past year, we started creating large murals and collaborative art installations at shelter sites. It’s been incredibly moving to see how color, creativity, and collaboration can transform not only a space but the people within it. Because our surroundings matter. Beauty matters. Dignity matters. And when people see their stories on the walls—when they know they helped create something lasting—it reminds them that they matter too.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of my biggest challenges came in those early years teaching in Oakland. I felt lost and overwhelmed, often doubting whether I was making a difference at all. I remember crying in my principal’s office, telling her I wasn’t doing enough, that I was failing the very kids I wanted so badly to support. She looked at me and said, “This is exactly why you’re a great teacher, because you care this much.” I’ve never forgotten that. Over time, I found my voice, my rhythm, my confidence. And I fell in love with the work.
Now, in this new chapter as Director of Big Heart Art, I feel grounded in my purpose—but I’m facing new challenges, particularly in fundraising and grant writing. It’s a skill I’m still learning, and honestly, it hasn’t been easy. It’s uncomfortable and vulnerable at times, asking for support for something so close to my heart. But bit by bit, I’m learning to trust the process, to believe that people will see the value in what we’re doing. Because even though art is often underestimated, I know it holds real power—to heal, to connect, to uplift.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Through Big Heart Art, my own creative life has bloomed in new ways. For the first time, I’ve been painting large-scale murals and working on collaborative pieces that live out in the world. It’s thrilling to create art that doesn’t just hang in a gallery but becomes part of people’s everyday lives—bringing light, beauty, and a sense of belonging to spaces that desperately need it.

How do you think about happiness?
What brings me the most joy is my family. My brilliant, loving wife and my wildly curious, imaginative five-year-old daughter are my greatest loves. I find peace and happiness in small, quiet things—in the way raindrops trace patterns on a window, the way light filters through leaves, the negative space of sky seen through bare branches. And of course, I find joy in art. Always.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bigheartart.org
• Instagram: @_bigheartart_