Daisy Art Parade
Category: Event Calendar
Date and Time for this Past Event
- Saturday, Apr 15, 2023 11am - 2pm
Location
Henry Street, MLK Bridge, 1st Street, Campbell Avenue, John Nolen Plaza
Details
Roanoke Celebrates World Art Day with an Art Parade
Art Parade starts at noon on Saturday, April 15
Daisy Art Parade invites artists of all ages and skill levels, and every art form to participate in an art parade on April 15 (UNESCO’s “World Art Day”). This is a FREE family friendly event. Handmade, locally-made and people-powered entries are especially encouraged. Groups and individuals are welcome. Please note that motorized vehicles (other than wheelchairs), elephants and live horses are not permitted.
The parade departs at noon from the MLK statue located in Historic Gainsboro, proceeds down Campbell Avenue, with the final review by to occur behind the Taubman Museum (John Nolen Plaza). The route is about five or six blocks in total, and includes crossing over the MLK bridge.
Participants who register in advance at www.daisyartparade.com will receive a raffle ticket and prizes will be distributed immediately after the parade in the Taubman Museum's “Art Venture” space.
Participants are invited to assemble on Henry Street beginning at 8am. Cultural programming will be provided by CommunityARTS Reach in the Lincoln Theater and the Culinary Arts Institute. The parade day will end by 2pm in the Taubman Museum’s “Art Venture” gallery following the raffle and puppet performance by the Iowa Goat Singer. Roanoke celebrity Kianna Marshall will MC the parade review on First Street.
To learn more about the Daisy Art Parade visit www.daisyartparade.com.
Daisy Art Parade is organized by Roanoke artist-in-residence Brian Counihan, former director of the Marginal Arts Festival (2008-2014). Counihan received a “Year of The Artist” (YOTA) grant from Roanoke City Arts Commission “to explore the role of creativity in tackling community issues and making the most of Roanoke’s rich assets.” Over the past nine months Counihan has assisted community groups in making parade art together in the hope that events like this art parade can be sustainable and “grassroot” organized.
The goal of these workshops wasn’t to make amazing art- it was to make amazing human connections while we made art.
Roanoke’s “Year of The Artist, 2022-2023” projects are funded by an “American Rescue Plan Act” (ARPA) grant and a “Grants for Arts Projects” grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional funding from the city of Roanoke.
April 15 is World Art Day, and it is an appropriate day to celebrate Roanoke’s “Year Of The Artist” and to raise awareness of the amazing art projects created and performed by at least a hundred artists in Roanoke this year. “Art nurtures creativity, innovation and cultural diversity for all peoples across the globe and plays an important role in sharing knowledge and encouraging curiosity and dialogue” UNESCO proclaimed at the 40th Session of their General Assembly in 2019. “Each year, on 15 April, World Art Day celebrations help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development.”
“We know the arts can help us form a healthier, more prosperous, and welcoming community,” says Roanoke Arts Commission Chair Cari C. Gates. “The arts can foster strong and effective citizen engagement and connect us in surprising ways.”
To learn more about YOTA, visit www.roanokearts.org/YOTA
Contact artist organizer Brian Counihan at blooms4u@daisyartparade.com
or (540) 330.0203 for questions or media inquiries. Photos are available on request.
