Help Brighten Up Clarksdale

Paint the Town Clarksdale needs your support. Following on the success of the artistic efforts of the first two Paint the Town events, as well as work by individuals and the Delta Arts District, to add to the growing collection of street art meant to broaden the appeal of Clarksdale to tourists (and appreciative residents,) we are currently organizing this year's event. Paint the Town 2022 will be held from October 10-16, the same week as the Deep Blues and Tennessee Williams festivals. As in the past we are inviting local, regional and global artists to add to Clarksdale's collection of street art that is increasingly a draw for visitors to the city and a source of civic pride. This year's event will also, for the first time, bring art to some of the neighborhoods that are outside the core downtown area of the city.

But this costs money. That is where you come in. We need to supply materials and equipment to the participating artists. For the artists who are coming from out of town we need to provide food and lodging. Budget permitting, we hope to give an honorarium to all participating artists. All the money raised will go to those things. (As the organizer of Paint the Town the only compensation I will receive for my work is the satisfaction of helping to create something that I deeply feel contributes to the Clarksdale community and enhances the appeal of the city to its visitors. As the largest donor to Paint the Town, I am also putting my own money where my mouth is.)

So, if like me and so many others you feel that the street art in Clarksdale enhances the appeal of the city - it is regularly featured in television news reports and features about Clarksdale, as well as regularly appearing in videos and photos posted on social media - please contribute what you can. Every little bit helps.

Thank you in advance, and if you are in the area there will be a party on Monday October 10 at which you can meet this year's artists. Details, as well as more information as it develops, will be posted on the Paint Clarksdale Facebook Page as well as on the website of Paintclarksdale.