¡Splash! is an on going one day community art event involving buckets of paint, canvas, kids, paintbrushes, and artists. Initiated by Artists Alliance / Alianza de Artistas in response to the need for more accessible summer programs for kids, Splash draws on the collective resources of the neighborhood.

Working with local schools and community organizations, the Artists Alliance / Alianza de Artistas finds playgrounds, school yards, or other large public areas and erects giant blank white canvasses and provides the brushes and the paint , along with some expert help.

Neighborhood people, especially children and families, are invited to come and paint uninhibited by the normal constraints of small spaces or elaborate sign up procedures.

See images of ¡Splash! at the Howl! festival 04.

Non toxic water based paint is available by the gallon and kids discover the basics of color theory as the artists help them mix, from scratch, the colors they wish to use. Anyone and everyone is invited to paint.

The outdoor events are typically followed by exhibitions of the collaborative murals in local galleries or community spaces. Materials are procured through generous donations from Materials for the Arts and individual artist members, as well as through discounts from local hardware stores.

Kids and adults who stop by are delighted to find they are allowed to just jump in and paint, anywhere on the canvas they want, whatever they want.

AAI Members Lisa Hanson and Inka Essenhigh assist kids with paint.

¡Splash! is hands on. It's simple, unstructured, and immediate. You see people painting, and you paint too.

For these kids, who lack programs and resources, it's like magic.