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We are excited to announce that Community on Canvas will be partnering with the Grand Rapids Office of Special Events (OSE) to host a super fun PILOT creative experience. As part of our commitment to fostering community
engagement and creative exploration, we are thrilled to introduce “pARTy in the Park”—an innovative initiative designed
to bring neighbors together through art and shared experiences.
pARTies in the Park will feature five interactive stations, each offering open-ended, exploratory, and all-inclusive
activities free to the public. These stations are carefully curated to engage participants of all ages and backgrounds:
Open, Doodle, and Draw: Unleash your creativity at this station where imagination knows no bounds.
Hand Manipulables Exploration: Dive into a world of tactile exploration and discover the joy of hands-on
creativity. (Example: Lincoln Logs or other building experience)
Eye, Hand, Color Discovery: Join us at the Eye, Hand, Color Discovery Station and explore the endless
possibilities of color and pattern through fun and engaging puzzles. (Examples: Tangrams, color pattern puzzles)
Story Stroll Drawing Party: Join us for the enchanting Story Stroll Drawing pARTy! Young artists under the age
of 25 are invited to unleash their creativity by submitting drawings based on the theme: "What is your story?"
These drawings should reflect who they are in their neighborhood, their personal identity, and the spirit of
inclusion. There is no cost to participate. Selected artworks from the various park parties will have the opportunity
to be showcased in the upcoming Story Stroll event taking place in downtown Grand Rapids later this fall.
Definition of Story Stroll: Story Stroll is an accessible path featuring original children's artwork, set to take place
in downtown Grand Rapids in November 2024. It will showcase selected drawings from young artists who participated in the Story Stroll Drawing pARTies held at various park locations. These drawings reflect the unique identities and experiences of each participant within their community, emphasizing themes of inclusion and personal storytelling. All children under the age of 25 are eligible to submit their drawings for consideration.
Mini Masters: A specially curated version of the above experiences designed to delight our
youngest participants.
This project is a PILOT program, and we are learning what we need to do to grow it into a larger experience. pARTy in
the Park is not a make-and-take art experience; rather, it is a platform for neighbors to come together, create while they are
there, and forge meaningful connections. It's “art in the now”—a celebration of community, diversity, and the power of collective imagination, where participants engage in creative activities right at the moment, fully experiencing and enjoying the present.
We encourage families to come down and enjoy the parks by bringing their own picnic (food will not be available) and
explore the many amenities each park has to offer. While we would love to have your support by coming down and seeing
what we are doing, please note that the experience will be available to the first 100 participants.
The dates and locations for these enriching experiences are as follows:
June 5: Cherry Park
+++ June 12: Briggs Park
June 19: Richmond Park
June 26: Garfield Park
July 10: Cherry Park
+++ July 17: Briggs Park
July 24: Richmond Park
July 31: Garfield Park
August 7: Cherry Park
+++ August 14: Briggs Park
August 21: Richmond Park
August 28: Garfield Park
We invite you to join us in making pARTy in the Park a resounding success.
Let's create memories, spark conversations, and inspire one another through the transformative power of art.
Questions? Cynthia @ CommunityOnCanvas.org
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
324 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505-6235, United States
