Break Out the Chalk, Take a Walk and Reconnect (at a Safe Distance, Of Course)

On Monday, March 23, East Lansing families will partake in the Chalk Art Walk; they will draw on the sidewalk using chalk, and then will later walk through their neighborhoods and look at the art they created.

The idea for the walk began when Matt Kazmierski was on Nextdoor.com, which is a website to help people to communicate with others in their community. He found the idea, originally created by Stephanie Grimes, and decided to bring it to East Lansing.

Kazmierski shared it with his Facebook group called Ask East Lansing, and from there, he shared it with another group, EL Neighbors and Communities Help Each Other, which was created by Erin Graham as a way to help East Lansing families during the coronavirus emergency.

“It took off from there,” Kazmierski said. “People really seemed to have a positive response.”

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday. In the morning and early afternoon, kids will draw in their driveways and sidewalks using chalk. In the evening, families can take walks to admire the art, while still social distancing.

“I think the whole idea is to get all these families involved, the kids doing the artwork and being creative, and then the parents can also enjoy it because they can go walk around,” Kazmierski said. “It’s a good family event that will connect us in a time that we can’t really be connected.”

For Kazmierski and other East Lansing citizens, the Chalk Art Walk is a way to get outside and bring joy to people during the coronavirus emergency.

“I think it’s a way to cheer people up,” Kazmierski said. “It’s just a fun idea that I think will bring a little peace and happiness to everyone during this time of craziness.”

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