What’s so great about an alley?
You may be surprised once you stop and think about it.
Alleys are places where kids can congregate, get into trouble, create a mess, and receive injuries or illness from bottles, glass, trash and more. They can be dark, damp, and intimidating.
But there’s one organization that is turning that all around!
Arts in the Alley is a non-profit organization that aims to revitalize inner-city and downtown neighborhoods by cleaning up and revitalizing alleys and streets that are currently in disarray. The goal is to make them safer places for residents, schools, and businesses — and transform the alleys into a bright, outdoor mural gallery.
Imagine the positive impression and inspiration kids can get from an alley that is refurbished and welcoming! And this is a great way to help your children see how easy it is to make a difference in the lives of others by volunteering too. Bright, clean alleys create a sense of safety and encourage people to take better care of their environment too.
How it Works
Arts in the Alley conquers alleys in a downtown or inner-city neighborhood are cleaned up (trash removal, weeding, removing dangerous items like broken glass and needles, cleaning up graffiti) on a Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the alleys are transformed into a brighter and better place through painting murals. Also on Sunday, an arts and music festival is held in the alleys while the murals are being painted.
Each alley will have between 5-15 murals, and at least one “Children’s Mural” where any kid, any age can help create a mural designed especially for them. All the work – designing murals, performing music, cleanup work, and painting murals – is done by volunteers, with an emphasis on artists and students from both the neighborhood and the rest of the city collaborating throughout the project and ultimately in each other’s neighborhoods.
Arts in the Alley then works with community organizations to help maintain the improved alleyways. The rejuvenated alleys help create safer neighborhoods, a more cheerful living, working, and playing environment, and the concept of “art in the streets” as well as building a sense of community and providing an opportunity for local residents to develop a greater sense of ownership. Promoting a safe environment and sense of pride is what it’s all about – and promoting art is a tremendous benefit for kids and adults of all ages.
Funds are Needed
So why do they need to raise funds if they are all volunteers?
- It takes a gallon of paint – $25 – to create a large tree as part of a mural.
- And it takes half a quart of paint - $5 – to paint a flower.
- And it takes a quart of paint – $10 – to paint a butterfly. Or a frog.
With so many alleys and so many murals, Arts in the Alley needs your help.
Can you help them paint a tree, or a butterfly, or a flower and help Paint a Better Future for Richmond? They have created a special fundraising project through IndieGoGo so it’s easy for people to contribute. Click HERE to give – $25, $10, or even $5 — any amount you donate will go a long way toward beautifying the alleys and helping kids be more creative and positive.
Want to be an active participating in cleaning up the alleys? Their next Arts in the Alley event is in Fulton Hill, 1628 Williamsburg Road, Richmond, VA 23231, on April 14th and 15th, 2012. To signup or to just send us a comment or question, click here to reach their website and registration form.
Everyone is welcome at Arts in the Alley. Thanks to so many who’ve helped, they’ve created a brighter world and a brighter future for hundreds of kids.
