Draw Together

The Biggest Chalk Art Event in the History of Highland Park!

Saturday, May 8th, 2021, people all over Highland Park and surrounding communities are invited to create their own Chalk Art Masterpiece as part of The Art Center Highland Park’s Annual Spring Benefit Event, Draw Together. Chalk Art Kits, with a few added surprises enclosed, can be purchased via the event’s Virtual Giving Center: http://bidpal.net/drawtogether

“Even as we move to different levels of COVID health observance, we wanted to plan an event that would work for everyone, at any participation level they feel comfortable with,” says Events Committee and Board Member, Marla Gilbert. “You can draw together with your family on your own sidewalk or driveway, without leaving home. Or you can draw together with us at TAC where we’ll draw on the sidewalks of the center itself.”

During the live event, on Saturday, May 8, starting at 12:30, TAC will create a staggered time schedule for participants to create art with a safety ‘buffer’ of six feet. During the daytime event artist Nate Baranowski will be working on his own custom, perspective artwork, and visiting the various groups to give encouragement, and maybe a few tips and tricks, from a nationally recognized chalk pro.

“You don’t have to be here to participate, that’s what makes this even better, as we knew ahead of time that health and safety would be prominent in our planning,” says TAC Events Director, Jackie Chilow. “We’re inviting people to use their own driveways and sidewalks, wherever they are. We have already have commitments from participants in Ireland, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, and several US states. All of them will be sharing their completed images us via social media and this will be our biggest benefit ever.”

Draw Together is The Art Center’s Annual Benefit and Fundraiser. This is an important source of funding for over 400 art classes a year, student scholarships, a professional level Art Gallery, and other programs, all designed to provide a welcoming space for diverse communities to experience and participate in the arts.

How to participate:

·       Buy an Official Draw Together Chalk Art Kit for $35* via the event’s Virtual Giving Center:http://bidpal.net/drawtogether. All sales go towards year-round programs at TAC. Share your completed images on social media using #tachp, or #drawtogetherTAC, and emailing to media@theartcenterhp.org

·       Reserve a TAC Sidewalk Square to draw on during the daytime event on Saturday, May 8, from 12:30-3PM. Social distancing will be observed through scheduling and appointments. Entertainment during the event. Sidewalk Square includes one Official Draw Together Chalk Art Kit*: $45. http://bidpal.net/drawtogether

·       Donate a Chalk Art Kit to a local not for profit group. TAC has selected local groups who will create sidewalk art together as a way to share their creativity and inspire others. Sponsors can purchase 10 kits for $250. https://theartcenterhp.org/spring-2021-benefit-sponsorship

More ideas: organize your neighbors and create block-long chalk art projects or donate in honor of someone in the community who has gone ‘above and beyond’ to support the community during this past difficult year of challenges. https://theartcenterhp.org/spring-2021-benefit-sponsorship

The Art Center Highland Park, a 501c3 not for profit organization, is in its 61st year as the North Shore’s home for artistic discovery and creative exploration.

More information, including details about the nighttime event of Draw Together  is available athttps://theartcenterhp.org/events/benefit-2021