LC's 2009 commencement speaker Randi Pupkin '84 is often termed the "runaway lawyer" because she gave it all up to follow a dream. The founder of Art with a Heart, a traveling art program, Randi brings the gift of art to young and old in disadvantaged communities in Baltimore, Md.
"I vividly remember thinking that if I can touch but one life, if I could make one individual see the value of art and its ability to transform the spirit, I would be doing something right," she said.
A former Baltimore attorney, Randi's amazing story unfolded as she presented a Senior Symposium lecture at her alma mater in which she challenged students to "imagine what can be instead of settling for what is."
"In a gazillion years, I never, ever, would have imagined me, Randi Alper Pupkin, standing here before you," she said. "Like all adventures, my story includes lots of guts, courage, motivation, and desire as well as an enormous amount of stupidity and craziness."
By age six, Randi said she had developed an acute social conscience and had determined to be an agent of change. After graduating from LC with a B.A. in history, she entered law school, "believing I was on my way to change the world and become the great equalizer." She remembered law school as the fastest three years of her life, and after passing the bar exam on the first try, she said she was ready "to set the world on fire."
Even though she became highly successful in her practice, Randi was restless and unsatisfied. "I felt I was not using my life constructively," she said. "I was not the agent of change I wanted to be. I felt like I had had a fire in my belly at one time, but now all I had was indigestion."
Knowing that she had to make a major life change, Randi began to think about what brought her joy and comfort. "I realized that I loved art ... doing art ... looking at art ... and learning about art," she said.
Searching for ways to employ her interest in art for social change, Randi learned that 26 children are abused and neglected every day in Maryland; 13,000 children live in foster care or institutions; and more than 90,000 children and their families were involved in the state's child welfare system. "I found the people I was going to help, and I found my purpose," she said.
Beginning with a twelve-week art program, Randi began the program in four sites - two group homes for emotionally troubled adolescent boys, an Alzheimer's facility, and a shelter for battered women and their children. The program grew quickly, and, before long, Randi was being pulled in too many directions. Besides creating curriculum for widely diverse groups, she was also shopping and buying supplies, teaching all the classes, parenting two children, and still practicing law. Something had to go, so she decided to sell her law practice. "I did not even feel sad," she recalled. "I felt excited, and I had no regrets."
The organization's annual budget has grown to $400,000, and Art with a Heart now operates in 23 sites weekly, serving 12,000 participants a year. Randi and her staff continually fine tune the program and develop new initiatives to serve ever- increasing needs.
"At Art with a Heart, we are igniting our students' imaginations, teaching them to be creative, and helping to foster their dreams," Randi said.
As an example, she noted that in 2006, Art with a Heart piloted its Summer Job Program to give participants an opportunity to produce marketable works of art and to learn job skills. Last year, the participating youth from East and West Baltimore worked together to sell $3,453 in products.
Randi's philosophy is simple, yet inspiring: "Let all your experiences be adventures. Take time to wonder. Know, really know, that nothing is impossible if you believe."
Randi Pupkin a runaway? Not a chance!