Pastels on the plaza is a yearly event that takes place on the Plaza. Students, teachers, and creative community members alike come together to make artwork that helps support a good cause.
The event raises funds for Northcoast Children’s Services. Businesses, companies, and individuals can purchase a square space on the plaza sidewalk. People who are interested in creating art for the businesses can sign up to make the design for a business. The money that is raised from this goes to Northcoast Children’s Services. NCS is a private nonprofit corporation that helps pregnant families and families that have children from 0-5 years old.
Mr. Clewell is an art teacher here at AHS who has been going to Pastels on the Plaza for the past 10-11 years. Clewell began this tradition when Arcata Pizza Deli reached out to him and asked if he would be interested in doing a collaboration, and he’s been going ever since. Clewell believes that this event is very impactful in our community. When he was a young teacher and his son was little, NCS helped him find schools and resources for his family.
“The artists just do it because they like to make art,” said Clewell, “then also it’s for a really good cause.”
NCS is an organization that provides support to children and families in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Being able to have a huge fundraiser for that organization while also coming together and connecting with other people in our community to share and express artistic freedom and creativity is an amazing thing. For the 2024 event, Pastels on the Plaza raised over $35,000 for NCS. Over 250 artists participate as volunteers. Money that is raised from pastels on the plaza helps NCS be able to partner with families to help them with needs like pre-school, wellness, safety, and parenting.
Student Fionn Conroy has been going individually for 2 years. She used to go with her mom when she was little, that’s what really sparked her interest. Conroy said she always used to be inspired by her mom and that’s what got her into doing pastels on the plaza.
“Getting to creatively give to the community through our art and fundraiser for kids is such a cool and unique idea!” said Conroy. “Although it is very time consuming, it’s so fun.”
She said that if she could do any pastel drawing on the plaza not related to a business, she would like to do a landscape piece because she’s never done anything like that. This year Conroy made a square for redwood capital bank, she had mostly creative freedom; the only request they had was that she show something of value or money to represent the bank.