Arts Integration: Literacy and STEAM Projects

Storywalks are a way to install pages of a book outdoors, where they can be explored and enjoyed by people as they walk from page to page. We have developed our own unique version of Storywalks, making each page a grouted mosaic that can be hung outdoors through all of New England’s harsh seasons. Beginning in the early days of the COVID pandemic, we created a series of collaborative mosaic Storywalks that rotate through the city on fences in playgrounds, by community gardens, and by the libraries. Each page was tiled by community members or all ages in parks, at street festivals, and in outdoor public spaces. One of the stories was written and illustrated by members of the Children’s Book Club at the local library, and another was illustrated by young people across the city. The Storywalks give families a reason to leave their houses during the pandemic, they support early literacy and bring color to outdoor public spaces.