Chalk Walk: A Community Art Gallery - Follow Your Art Community Studios

Chalk Walk Fundraiser

Chalk Walk is FYACS’ annual fall fundraiser for Arts for All, which promotes equity and inclusion by providing tuition assistance, adaptive services, outreach programs to underserved communities, and free community arts & culture projects for all.

Chalk Walk Supports Accessible Arts

In September 2025, more than 100 community artists and families turned out to transform the pathway by Ell Pond and the entrance to City Hall into colorful community galleries. Together we raised $10,000 for Arts for All, enabling FYACS to provide financial and adaptive assistance so that creative arts experiences are accessible to everyone!

How to Participate

Details about the next Chalk Walk, including sponsorships and volunteer opportunities, will be announced in Summer 2026

Sponsor

A local artist will create a large chalk art panel for your family, organization, or business. Sponsor your own square, or split one among multiple friends or other businesses!

Become a Featured Artist

Share your talent at this fun day of art and community as you create a large chalk art panel in our galleries!

Decorate Your Own Square!

For a donation of $30 you get your very own square along the path next to the Ell Pond gazebo. We supply the materials, no experience required.

Volunteer

Have a unique skill or some free time? We always appreciate help with promotion before the event as well as day-of logistics.

About Chalk Walk

At Ell Pond:

For a donation of $30 you get your very own square along the path next to the Ell Pond gazebo. We supply the materials, no experience required.
There will be a gallery square on the walkway for everyone registered; specific locations are first come, first serve.
Unable to donate to chalk a gallery square? Nobody at Chalk Walk gets turned away for inability to pay.
If you wish to sponsor a square but cannot attend, please check the “pay it forward” or the “donation” box on the registration form and we will offer it to an individual or family who cannot financially contribute.
Please check in at the tent when you arrive.
We will have volunteers with chalk, tape, hand wipes, and a “cheat sheet” of chalk tips and techniques to help your work really stand out!
Don’t forget to check out the large sponsored squares created by local artists!

At City Hall: Head down to City Hall to see what local artists are creating in honor of our large square sponsors!

At Follow Your Art Community Studios: Stop by The Big Yellow House (647 Main Street, between both locations) for bathroom breaks and a gallery visit.

Photography: All artwork may be photographed and used in social media posts, website images, and future promotions for FYACS events and activities. An event photographer will be on site to document the day’s activities. If you would not like your photo taken, please let the photographer (likely carrying a professional camera) know.

Signage: Sponsor and Artist information will remain on our website and physical signs will remain on site until mother nature decides otherwise!

Chalk Walk 2025 was funded in part by a grant from the Melrose Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Thank You Sponsors!

For a $250 sponsorship, a local artist will create a large chalk art panel for your family, business, or organization on the walkway in front of Melrose City Hall or along Ell Pond. Sponsor your own square, or split one among friends or other businesses!

2025 Lead Sponsor

2025 Sponsors

Lead Sponsor: Melrose Oriental Rug

$250 Sponsors

Atlantic Masonry and Tile
The Bowers Family
Liz and Paul Brodeur
btone FITNESS Melrose
Buckalew’s General Store
Jason Chen for City Councilor-at-Large
The Chisholm Family
D.F. Breen, LLC
Elizabeth Faherty
fitlife
The Food Drive and First United Methodist Church
Free Little Art Gallery Melrose
Gately Funeral Home
Gray’s Appliance
The Grover Donohue Family
Hunt’s Photo and Video
Manjula Karamcheti, Ward 1 City Councilor
The Livingstone/Anderton Family
Melrose Arts
The Melrose Painter
Miter Biter Frame Company
Nancy and Michael
North Shore Elder Law and Estate Planning
Reading Cooperative Bank
Alex Rodriguez for Ward 7
Rotary Club of Melrose
Monica Medeiros Solano and Earle Solano
Sweet Spot Bakery
Kim Vandiver, Ward 5 City Councilor
Ryan Williams, City Councilor

This year’s Chalk Walk is also generously supported in part by a grant from the Melrose Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Our thanks also to Steve Gyurina from Artopia Giclee for donating lasting prints of the artwork!

2025 Artists