(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- All through October, the walls of 1978 Art Center will be open for our community to join the worldwide Inktober® phenomenon.

Inktober® was created in 2009 by artist Jake Parker as a challenge to himself. Every year, he develops a list of 31 one-word prompts for each day in October and people around the world take on the challenge to create an ink drawing each day based on that day’s prompt. 

Now you can join the fun with the Inktober® Community Art Project at 1978. The walls will be divided into panels for each day, labeled with the date and Jake’s official prompt. Everyone in the community of all ages and abilities are invited to do an ink drawing for the prompts. Draw one or draw 31. Let’s fill the room with ink drawings!

“We’re thrilled to be bringing Inktober® back to Maplewood this year after missing a year due to COVID-19,” said Jeremy Moss, co-founder of Good Crowd Events who is producing the event. “The project was so well received the first time around and we’re excited to reconnect with old friends, meet new people, and see what the community creates this year.”

The kick-off is Friday, October 1 from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Regular drawing hours are available all month with a closing celebration on Friday, October 29 from 7:00pm-9:00pm. During the month, collections of beans and rice and dry cereal will be collected for Feed So Many. Bring your donations to any open draw hours.

“The Department of Community Services is excited to welcome Good Crowd Events and the Inktober® Community Art Project back to the 1978 Arts Center,” says Melissa Mancuso, Director of Community Services, Township of Maplewood. “This art project is truly multi-generational and changes daily. Visit often and see the new daily prompts and artwork of your neighbors. Doodling together is a quick way to lift your spirits and a worthwhile trip for the whole family. Bring your creativity and your mask, but don’t miss this event!”

Weekly drawing hours include: Mondays from 7:00pm-9:00pm; Wednesdays from 5:00pm-8:00pm; and Saturdays from 10:00am-1:00pm.

For more information, visit bit.ly/GCEinktober2021.

This project is being produced with the permission of Jake Parker and the Inktober® team.  Many thanks to sponsors Lara Liquori Real Estate, Maplewood Department of Community Services, and Springfield Avenue Maplewood for supporting this project.

Good Crowd Events is a creative placemaking company working to inspire everyone to use creativity to create community. Our mission is to inspire people to come together around creativity to enhance our communities. I19 Gallery is the space where we host creative online exhibits, projects, and community collaborations.