Dorchester Center for the Arts is excited to announce a new free, family-friendly arts event, “Making Big Waves – Hoopers Island First Chalk Festival: Creating Healing Waves One Chalk Line at a Time.” The festival will be held Nov. 5-6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, at “The Mural,” 1123 Ballpark Road, Fishing Creek, and is presented in partnership with Kelly Ellis-Neal at the Bungalow by the Bay.

Five chalk artists from across the country will join Hoopers Island Chalk Artist Ed Krell to demonstrate their work for two days in the Boat Barn on Hoopers Island, and raise awareness for mental health. Each day will also feature chalk arts workshops for all ages run by Lori Antoinette, the leader of the “Chalk Mafia” Facebook group, plus live music, art and community vendors and great local food, including Taqueria Floritas from Cambridge.

On both days, visitors will be able to walk through the barn to watch the art unfold and interact with the artists. Participating chalk artists: Lori Antoinette (California), Abigail Bowers (Kentucky), Mike Kirby + two youths (Baltimore), Ed Krell (Hoopers Island).

Musicians include Marianne Styles, Jon Jacobs, KC Stengl, Makayla Falkner (student of Mike Elzy) and The Brookletts (high school band from Easton).

Dorchester Center for the Arts is committed to supporting and uplifting local artists.

As the designated County Arts Council for Dorchester, DCA works to increase access to the arts for all members of the community by supporting extensive outreach and educational opportunities in the arts. For more information about additional programs and events at the Dorchester Center for the Arts, stop by 321 High Street, call 410-228-7782 or visit online at dorchesterarts.org. Find DCA on Facebook or the Chalk Festival FB event at fb.me/e/3uX1Yea2i. The DCA website event link is dorchesterarts.org/hoopers-island-first-chalk-arts-festival.

Programs at DCA are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council.