From playful prompts to whimsical visuals, Stamford Downtown is debuting Sidewalk Art as part of the Stamford Downtown Placemaking Project! It’s an initiative aimed at enhancing the pedestrian experience through vibrant, interactive public art. The project features five permanent sidewalk murals by local artist Chancellor Hayes, known on Instagram as @8ballcreates.
The installations include:
- “Smile Here” at Kiwanis Park (Atlantic Street)
- “What Will You Read Today?” at the entrance to the Ferguson Library (Broad Street)
- “Jump” and “Kiss Here” in Columbus Park near the flagpole and on Washington Blvd.
- “Playground Club” in Latham Park
Hayes, whose signature style fuses vibrant color with playful direction, approached this project with energy, imagination, and deep care—transforming ordinary sidewalks into unexpected moments of joy.
“Public art is a powerful tool for placemaking,” said Michael Moore, President of Stamford Downtown. “These sidewalk installations not only brighten our public spaces but also invite people to interact with their surroundings in creative and uplifting ways. Chancellor’s work brings a sense of wonder and personality to Stamford Downtown, and we’re proud to have partnered with him on this meaningful project.”
Cheryl Vukelic, Stamford Downtown’s project manager for the initiative with Chancellor, shared, “It has been a pleasure collaborating with a young artist such as Chance on such a fun and meaningful project.”
The Sidewalk Art Project is a permanent placemaking initiative by Stamford Downtown to promote community connection, celebrate local talent, and enhance the vibrancy of our urban core. Each installation was thoughtfully designed to beautify sidewalks while encouraging spontaneous moments of delight.