Chalk the Block: Clinton Action Alliance invites community to bring inspiration through chalk art

By BRAD HEINEMAN

Clinton Local

A community-driven effort to spread some whimsy and joy across Clinton this summer — through the use of sidewalk chalk — is officially underway.

Clinton Action Alliance’s (CAA) “Chalk the Block” initiative brought color and messages of encouragement to Tate Park and around the area when it debuted June 16.

There was “Love in Bloom” around Clinton last week when the chalk event turned sidewalks and walkways into colorful canvases of flowers, butterflies and sunshine, as well as displays of inspirational messages and encouragement.

Everyone is welcome to participate in future Chalk the Block events, which are scheduled in July and August.

The July Chalk the Block will kick off the month on Wednesday, July 1, (Thursday, July 2, rain date) with a patriotic theme recognizing America’s 250th Birthday. CAA said it is hoping Clintonians will share what makes them proud about America through the use of regular, everyday sidewalk chalk.

Chalk the Block events are scheduled to take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Updates about Chalk the Block programming, times and locations can be found by visiting the Clinton Action Alliance’s Facebook page.

In essence, the overall goal of CAA’s “Chalk the Block,” according to alliance member Erin Walker-Rutherford, is geared toward bringing community residents together and sharing an artistic appreciation of Clinton.

And you don’t have to live in the village to Chalk the Block. That’s why CAA organizers encourage people to gather at Tate Park each scheduled time and date where the paved walking paths can be decorated with chalk.

“This is a community-building event, and you cannot have art creation without art appreciation,” Rutherford said in a video posted to the Clinton Action Alliance’s Facebook page. “We encourage all ages to come out, even if that’s just to meet your neighbors or to encourage other neighbors in giving suggestions of what to draw or quotes to write to spread encouragement.”

Besides adding themed chalk art to the Tate Park walking paths, Clinton residents can decorate their own sidewalks or driveways as part of Chalk the Block. Downtown business owners are also invited to grab some chalk, pour some lemonade and invite their friends for an evening of family-friendly fun — involving chalk art.

Even the younger artists who might not be old enough yet to craft with chalk can try creating art with chalk paint, which Rutherford described as a combination of corn starch, water and food dye or water color.

CAA is encouraging those chalk artists who decorate their own sidewalks or driveways to take plenty of pictures of their colorful creations and share them online by tagging Clinton Action Alliance and the Village of Clinton MI on Facebook.

As a family-friendly event, all chalk art must be appropriate for all ages, Rutherford said. Whether someone writes an inspirational message or draws a cute picture, each chalk submission is intended to make the community smile.

“We are all community and we love Clinton as our home,” Rutherford said.

Clinton Action Alliance was established in 2025 with two missions: community building through local businesses or organizations, and promoting civic engagement.

“What we realized, is that building a vibrant, connected community requires time, effort, money and, maybe most importantly, people,” Rutherford said when describing how CAA began its formation.

If Chalk the Block continues to gain momentum and becomes a popular summer event, CAA said it could approach the Clinton Fall Festival committee to encourage the incorporation of chalk art into this year’s edition of Fall Festival, which will take place the last full weekend in September — Sept. 25-27.

Upcoming Chalk the Block dates and themes in Clinton are as follows:

• Chalk the Block July: Happy 250th Birthday America! 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 1 (Thursday, July 2 rain date).

• Chalk the Block August: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Aug. 4 (rain date Aug. 5).

• Chalk the Block August: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 (rain date Aug. 19).