Follow Your Art Community Studio’s Chalk Walk returns on Saturday, September 28. (photos by Raj Das edphotos.com)
MELROSE—Follow Your Art Community Studios (FYACS) is excited to announce that Chalk Walk is back for its fourth year. This annual public art fundraiser benefiting Arts for All programs will take place Saturday, September 28 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (rain date 9/29). Professional and rising artists will create intricate chalk masterpieces on the Melrose City Hall walkway, while individuals, families, and community groups are invited to contribute to a vibrant community gallery near Ell Pond on Main Street. Live music and food options will be available.
“Follow Your Art is celebrating its fifth birthday this year, and Chalk Walk has become an important part of how we make creative arts accessible to everyone in our community,” says Follow Your Art Executive Director Kris Rodolico. “It’s a fun event for all ages and the artwork is stunning, while it lasts!”
Squares in the community gallery can be reserved at Ell Pond for a donation of $30, and all supplies will be provided by FYACS. Sign up information is available at fyamelrose.org/chalk-walk. There is also an option for community members to “pay it forward” – in the spirit of Arts for All – to allow others to take part. “Chalk Walk inspires me every year. Not only is there amazing art and music to enjoy, but it is a great example of how people in our community show up for each other,” says Rodolico.
Chalk drawings will be created at both sites between 10:00am-1:00pm, but can be enjoyed all day and throughout the weekend, weather permitting.
Melrose Oriental Rug returns as this year’s lead Chalk Walk sponsor, heading a growing list of private and corporate sponsors that include 128 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric, The Bowers Family, Larry Bouchie, D.F. Breen, Liz and Paul Brodeur, Buckalew’s General Store, The Chisholm Family and Melrose Montessori School, First United Methodist Church, The Food Drive, Free for All Little Art Gallery, Gray’s Appliance, Modern Legacy Law Group, The Grover/Donahue Family, The Kitchen Melrose, The Livingstone Anderton Family, City Councilor Manjula Karamcheti, Melrose Arts, Melrose Family Opticians, City Councilor Leila Migliorelli, Miter Biter Frame Company, The Residence at Melrose Station, Wakefield Co-operative Bank, and City Councilor Ryan Williams.
Arts for All Coordinator Michelle Ramadan says funds raised during Chalk Walk 2024 will support tuition assistance, adaptive services, and free arts and culture programming in the community. “Our goal is to raise $10,000 at this year’s Chalk Walk to make creative experiences available to people of all identities, abilities, cultural backgrounds, and economic situations through Arts for All,” Ramadan says.
