At Studioful Design, we have been thinking a great deal about participation in the time of physical distancing. While many people do not have the luxury to isolate and properly protect themselves and their families during the global coronavirus pandemic, still others want to show solidarity, to … participate in some way. During this time, while some go out to “do their jobs,” and others stay in, we also still need joy, self-expression, and connection. We see these desires in window art, earnest banter (at a distance), and happy eyes peaking above masks as we take our daily neighborhood walks.

With the values of Joy, Self-Expression, and Connection, and in collaboration with the City of Salem, we are glad to announce a simple act of public art: Chalk Art Saturdays!

The City has a thoughtful campaign for other joyful art with “Art Spring: A Pop Up Art Initiative!”

We are commissioning 4 local artists to create 8 chalk art murals for Chalk Art Saturdays, a weekly program to inspire strength and togetherness in Salem during this time of physical distancing. Every Saturday morning, local artists use Chalk Art Murals to respond to prompts that inspire community. These murals will be located on well-traveled paths where people live, and shared digitally. Each mural will also come with a creative thought prompt and an invitation to neighbors to get out and create their own Chalk Art in front of their homes or in their yards.

#SalemPublicArt #SalemTogether #ChalkArtSaturdays

Local artists created a new Chalk Art Mural every Saturday in May and June to inspire those walking by and perhaps even encourage folks to make some socially distant art at home. We used the following Art Prompts:

CHALK ART MURAL archive

June 27: Maia Mattson created the final Chalk Art Mural at Fire Station 5 on Loring Ave for Art Prompt: Looking Forward to a Better Normal. She grows her flowers and encourages us to “Create Care Communities” and “Take Action for Change” and “Make a Better Normal” - How will you create a Better Normal? A BIG THANK YOU to the Chief and all the Fire Fighters at Station 5!

June 20: The seventh Chalk Art Mural was installed by Tia Cole in collaboration with Peabody artist, Emma Sauvajeau, on the Little League Dugout at Forest River Park for the Art Prompt: Together as One. The mural features a stained-glass heart, refracting and reflecting us all, as individuals and a collective.

June 13: The sixth Chalk Art Mural was installed by Anna Dugan in collaboration with local artist Ja’Rae the Creator at the threshold of McGlew Park for the Art Prompt: Creating New Rituals. The mural takes you down the path from North St to the oasis-like park encouraging you to absorb what is happening in the world and transforming it to fill your own cup, before helping to nourish others.

June 6: The fifth Chalk Art Mural is different: In support of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations, all four artists came out and helped create Keshia’s vision of immersion and inclusivity. Keshia de Leon, Maia Mattson, Tia Cole, and Anna Dugan responded to the prompt: Racial Justice through Art - in support of Black Lives Matter and Celebration of the Salem Arts Festival.

May 30: The fourth piece was installed on the sea wall at Collins Cove steps from Amazing pizza at the intersection of Webb and Collins Streets. The artist, Keshia de Leon responded to the prompt: Favorite Meal Together / Apart - and incorporated #BlackLivesMatters in acknowledgement of the ongoing protests for justice occurring.

May 23: The third piece was installed on the staircase leading to Mack Park at the intersection of Mason and Flint Streets. The artist, Tia Cole, responded to the prompt: Let’s Grow! We are Part of Nature.

May 16: The second piece was installed on Congress Street across from the Health Center at 48 Congress Street. The artist, Anna Dugan of Anna Did A Thing responded to the Art Prompt: Gratitude for Essential Workers.

May 9: The first piece was installed in front of the Salem Public Library at 370 Essex Street in celebration of Mother's Day by Maia Mattson, Gratitude for Mothers: Love Your Mothers

COMMUNITY CHALK ART archive

Black Lives Matter / Salem Arts Festival supports BLM

Meet NOTSO KITTY our star community participant who created amazing Chalk Art Murals each week - they blew us away! Check out this Kitty’s other delightful creations at their shop Notso Kitty!

Meet the Artists

Maia Mattson, photos courtesy of the artist

Maia Mattson is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer based outside of Boston. Passionate about ecological design and the connection between art and nature, Maia creates site specific work exploring those themes.

Find more about her work at www.maia-mattson.com or instagram.com/maiamattson

Anna Dugan, photos courtesy of the artist

Anna Dugan is a Filipina American mural artist & illustrator based in Salem, MA. Ms Dugan specializes in chalk & painted murals for any walls, windows, or boards that could use a little love. She use colors, patterns, typography, and humor to spread joy & positivity through my work. Ms Dugan also works hard to create more Filipinx representation in public art on the East Coast & beyond, as representation matters. Art brings communities together and has the power to connect us to one another.

Find more about her work at annadidathing.com and instagram.com/annadidathing

Tia Cole is a local artist, community organizer and arts advocate. Her passion for educating the community about the benefits of the arts has led to her facilitating multiple public art projects in partnership with the Lynn Cultural Council, Artist Row Salem, and both the Lynn and Salem Public Arts Commissions. She dedicates her time to supporting the creative economy through community building and placemaking. She is a founding board member of Galleries at Lynn Arts, the Brickyard Collaborative makerspace, and Lynn Main Streets. Pronouns She/Her

Keshia de Leon, photos courtesy of the artist.

Keshia de Leon of K Leon Creative Consulting is a Creative Educator, Artist, and Activist. Keshia has had the pleasure of working with a variety of students across the North Shore of Massachusetts. Through her work in Community Engagement and Mural installation he has gained a unique and honest artistic vision that guides her work. She brings her clients’ visions to life, while offering innovative curriculum and creative engagement for communities of all backgrounds. From creating murals and teaching visual arts courses, to consulting on architectural projects, she do it all.

Find out more about her work: kleoncreativearts.wixsite.com