ARTISTRY HAS NO BOUNDS WHEN TRANSITIONING WORK LIFE INTO OUR HOMES.
Our Capital Region community has extended our creativity, comfort, hope, humor and above all, appreciation throughout this pandemic.
We unite through video chat and virtual tours more than ever before. We harmoniously chase rainbows in the #518RainbowHunt. We launch and donate to the various COVID relief efforts to help our neighbors in need.
Although we cannot be physically together to volunteer across the Capital Region, there is still tremendous impact that can be made virtually throughout #518Day activities. Opportunities are provided to engage with one another and learn more about local philanthropy online. The hub UnitedToVolunteer.org is live with additional safe and socially distant service projects with local nonprofits.
An exciting event for all ages and all skill levels to participate in is the Sidewalk Chalk Mural Contest!
Artwork can begin as early as this weekend, Saturday, May 16 and must be complete and submitted by deadline of 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18. Register here and choose your artist category. Capital Region Target stores help award each artist category winners with store gift cards. One Grand Prize winner of the public’s Fan Favorite vote will have their design on a limited edition Live United t-shirt.
Judging is based on originality and incorporated design elements. Local artists and creatives serve as judges along with presenters from The Creative Impact: Capital Region Artist Fund. Winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m. on Facebook live.
Event information
Who: Capital Region Community
- One category per artist
- Young Artists = through age 10 at all skill levels
- Novice = 10+ years old at all skill levels
- Professional = 10+ years old with intermediate to advanced skill levels
What: Sidewalk Chalk Mural Contest
- Three prizes (one per category)
- One Grand Prize winner of the Fan Favorite vote will have their design on a limited edition Live United t-shirt. Proceeds of the t-shirt sale will benefit the Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund.
- Disclaimer: Participation in this Sidewalk Chalk Mural Contest provides United Way of the Greater Capital Region with explicit consent to use your submitted artwork in any of their marketing, promotional or fundraising materials. The United Way itself will not profit from artist work; proceeds raised will go directly to community impact via the Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund.
When: Begin any time on Saturday, May 16 through DEADLINE Monday, May 18 at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Artist’s sidewalk, driveway, socially distant appropriate location for chalk masterpiece
Why: Join the community celebration! Get your creative juices flowing and choose your own theme, make sure to include #518Day, a rainbow and Capital Region flair.
How:
- Register as a participant on UnitedToVolunteer
- After registration and artwork is complete, take photo and email to 518Day@unitedwaygcr.org by 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18
- Tune-in Monday, May 18 on UWGCR Facebook live at 5:30 p.m. to see the winners of each category announced
- VOTE starting on 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 19 through Thursday, May 21st at 11:59 p.m. for your Fan Favorite winning design to be on a limited-edition Live United t-shirt
Meet the 5.18 Day 2020 Sidewalk Chalk Mural Contest Judges
Kristyn Dayter is not just a new mother to a happy 8-month-old boy, but also the creator of the Capital Region’s #518RainbowHunt. Rainbows, unicorns, and glitter are a perfect expression of her personality. What was once a little project for Kristyn, has turned into a sensational movement in the Capital Region giving a distraction for families and everyone in this uncertain time. Before you knew it, there were rainbows popping up all over town. “The 518 sure can come together! I'm proud to be from this little corner of upstate New York! Keep spreading good vibes, positivity, & rainbows! Everything will be okay, and we'll all get through this together!” #518RainbowHunt
Arzu Fallahi is a freelance Concept Artist, illustrator and muralist based in Albany. As a developer she has created for Skylanders games, Destiny2 and currently is helping develop a new IP with Velan Studios based in Troy. Her illustrative work has been published in local paper and magazines such as Alt and Collaborative. Last year she has created a Mural based in Albany in collaboration with ACG and Park Albany. She Uses both digital and traditional mediums professionally depending on her client's needs.
Kristen Holler is a native of Schenectady, and a lover of all things small-city. An avid arts appreciator from an early age, Ms. Holler began working with Albany Barn, Inc. as an intern in 2006 and has supported the organization in various capacities – including as a founding board member and director of volunteer coordination – before taking on her current role as executive director in 2013. Previous to that Kristen worked as in employment and housing services with various non-profits and spent 13 years in the theatrical costuming industry at The Costumer. In addition to her work with Albany Barn, Ms. Holler is an active volunteer in her community. Past board and committee service includes Rosa Venerini Early Childhood Center, Zonta Club of Schenectady, Mission Accomplished Transition Services, and SUNY Empire Leadership Institute.
Tony Iadicicco has been part of the Capital Region arts community for over a decade. As Executive Director of Albany Center Gallery, an award-winning artist and community volunteer, he works tirelessly to connect people with the arts and promote the creative development of our next generation of leaders and creatives. Awards Tony has most recently received include the Albany Business Review 40 Under 40 honor, by the Albany Business Review, 2014 Norman S. Rice Arts, Culture and Education Award, one of "Tomorrow’s Masters Today" by the Albany Institute of History & Art and, Metroland Readers Poll "Local Art Hero" the Arts Ambassador Volunteer of The Year Award from The Stakeholders Inc., 2013. Tony is working on multiple projects, as well as a frequent guest speaker for panels with different organizations about art, culture and the business of art and is the curator of the #CapitalWalls mural program in Albany, NY.
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy is currently serving his third term as the fourth Albany County Executive. Dan was born, raised and resides in the capital city of Albany where he has worked as a public servant his entire professional career. He was a firefighter and EMT for the Albany County Airport and the City of Albany and is currently a member of the New York National Guard where he has earned the rank of Master Sergeant. Dan was deployed to Iraq in 2005-2006 and aided in the disaster relief following Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The County Executive has been focused on finding creative and innovative ways to improve the delivery of services while streamlining government, keeping taxes flat and nearly doubling the county fund balance. He has prioritized fostering economic development opportunities and pursued a shared services plan by collaborating with Albany County’s nineteen cities, towns and villages that will save taxpayer dollars. His leadership during this pandemic is rooted in the hard work he has put in for over 20 years in various roles to help Albany County residents. Dan serves as President of both the County Executives of America as well as the County Executives Association of the New York Association of Counties (NYSAC).
Jamel Mosely is a multidisciplinary artist, business coach, traveler, marketer, DJ, and award-winning visual storyteller in the mediums of film and photography. Jamel is dedicated to helping create inclusive spaces designed for people typically left in the margins. He is the co-founder of Root3d - a holistic wellness studio, Collectiveffort - a coworking space and incubator for creatives, and Power Breakfast Club - a professional and personal development community. Jamel is a board director for Tru Heart Inc. and Youth FX.
Elizabeth Zunon has always felt drawing and painting are among the most important things to an illustrator. Born in Albany, NY and raised in the Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), West Africa, she cultivated a love of color and pattern, which are fixtures in her works today. After returning to the United States, Elizabeth attended Guilderland Central High School and the Rhode Island School of Design. Her twelfth illustrated children's book, "Grandpa Cacao: a Tale of Chocolate, from Farm to Family" (Bloomsbury), was published in May 2019.