SHELBURNE FALLS — Adult coloring books are all the rage, but who needs them when you have an entire gymnasium at your disposal?
Today’s Hilltown Draw-Around at the Cowell Gymnasium, 51 Maple St., offers you a chance to draw and color all you want — creating something of your own while participating in 5,000 square feet of “community art.”
It’s a “pay what you want, draw where you want” fundraiser for the ARTeens program at the Shelburne Falls Art Garden. You can stay all day or just for a few minutes, “to make your mark.”
From noon to midnight, the paper-covered gymnasium becomes a community canvas for families, children, professional artists, anyone who can wield a crayon or who just enjoys watching art being made.
This year’s event includes art workshops, storytelling and live music. You can help create a giant mandala or add your self-portrait to a community gallery. And if you’re too shy to draw something, you can ask for one at the new, whimsical “Request a Sketch” machines.
If you prefer working in coloring book fashion, you can color flowers and plants on a 3D garden-themed coloring book, created by an artist for this project.
“There are easily 30 different activities,” said Art Garden Director Jane Beatrice Wegscheider, “So you don’t have to think of yourself as someone who draws. There’s also amazing food.”
In the last two years, the Draw-Around has raised about $2,000 for ARTeens — a 20-week after-school art program.
Besides the Draw-Around, this month’s Second Saturday celebration in Shelburne Falls celebrates Earth Day with a Renewable Energy Exhibition, featuring artwork and science projects created by students from throughout the region. Student artwork from Mohawk Trail, Deerfield and Greenfield schools will be on display at the Bridge Street Bazaar, Molly Cantor Pottery, McCusker’s Market and other village locations from 4 to 6 p.m. Projects exploring climate change and wind, water and solar energies will also be on display.
Salmon Falls Gallery will showcase visual arts by Mohawk Trail Regional School students, with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. that includes music by student musicians.
For more details, visit the Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association’s website: www.shelburnefalls.com.