Chelsea Area Festivals and Events Announces the Winners of the CAFE Grants for the Arts

CAFE continues its mission of enriching Chelsea and the surrounding areas by promoting the presentation of quality performing and visual arts by awarding grants to different areas of the arts. The CAFE Grants for the Arts are a one-time, unrestricted grant of $1,000 to each of the artists in order to help continue their creative and artistic efforts.

Applicants who applied represented all the amazing talent Chelsea has to offer and proved what a vital part of the community the arts can really be. The applicants also showcased the many art forms that makeup CAFE’s annual Sounds & Sights event. There was music, performance art, chalk art, sculptures, and artisans.

β€œThough the selection process was difficult, the winning projects are reflections of CAFE’s mission.Β  The Arts inspire, enrich and expand our lives. We all need to support and encourage our local artists,” said CAFE Boardmember, Gary Munce.

Please help us congratulate some of Chelsea’s amazing talent and in receiving the recognition of their artistic accomplishments.

Image courtesy of the Chelsea Area Festivals and Events.
Image courtesy of the Chelsea Area Festivals and Events.

Matthew Ball, The Boogie Woogie Kid
Matthew Ball is a music performer/songwriter, community teacher, and virtual content creator. He plans to use the grant to further collaborative ventures and expand his virtual performing and teaching programs.

Image courtesy of the Chelsea Area Festivals and Events.
Image courtesy of the Chelsea Area Festivals and Events.

Ballet Chelsea
Ballet Chelsea will utilize the grant to help cover the costs of an outdoor venue and equipment. This will allow dancers to work safely outside on various performance pieces, which will be recorded and edited for release to the community through online streaming. Ballet Chelsea is a non-profit 501(c)3 whose mission is to provide high-caliber training and performance excellence while giving back to the audience through arts education and community outreach.

Image courtesy of the Chelsea Area Festivals and Events.
Image courtesy of the Chelsea Area Festivals and Events

Kyle Burnett, Kyle Burnett Art
Burnett plans to use the grant to purchase sheet metal forming equipment, which will help him evolve his sculpting style. Kyle’s primary medium is scrap metal, and spectators can see his work, β€œElk Bugling,” currently on display behind the Chelsea District Library as part of the SculptureWalk.

Image courtesy of the Chelsea Area Festivals and Events.
Image courtesy of the Chelsea Area Festivals and Events.

Michael Harrington, Fun on the Frets
Fun on the Frets will be able to use the grant to complete their ten-song recording of Guitar Duets of Acoustic Jazz Guitar. This will allow the group to then create an Electronic Press Kit to further promote β€œFun On The Frets” to a broader audience.

Image courtesy of the Chelsea Area Festivals and Events.
Image courtesy of the Chelsea Area Festivals and Events.

Chris Monaghan
Chalk artists Chris Monaghan plans to use the grant to purchase additional art supplies and cover costs associated with the development of a street chalk education program. He’s hoping to offer the program in-person or virtually at local libraries, festivals, and schools.

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