Bucktown Arts Fest Art & Story Time Magic
Bucktown Arts Fest Art & Story Time Magic
Date: August 23
Venue/City: Chicago
Audience: Families, All Ages
Bucktown Arts Fest Recap: Exploring Feelings Through Story + Art
This year at Bucktown Arts Fest, we brought the magic of Story Time + Art to the heart of Holstein Park—and wow, what an unforgettable afternoon it was!
Our session was all about helping kids explore and express big emotions, especially grief and loss, in a creative and approachable way. With the help of two picture books—Moving In Forever and In My Heart—we opened up a conversation about how grief can look and feel different for everyone. Whether it’s sadness, joy, confusion, or love, our hearts have the incredible ability to hold all of those feelings at once.
The Magic of No-Mess Tie-Dye
After story time, we dove into an art activity that illustrated just how complex and colorful our emotional worlds can be. Using permanent markers, hankies, tin cans, rubbing alcohol, eye droppers, and rubber bands, kids created stunning no-mess tie-dye hearts.
Each handkerchief became a tapestry of overlapping colors—just like the overlapping emotions we feel, especially during times of loss or change. The blending and mixing of hues served as a visual metaphor for how grief works: organic, beautiful, layered, and deeply personal.
Not Just for Kids…
Something special also happened—the adults joined in, too. With markers in hand and creativity flowing, parents, caregivers, and even passersby tapped into their inner child. In the process, many discovered just how much their own hearts have been holding. Laughter, quiet reflection, and meaningful conversations emerged as adults used art to express their feelings in ways words sometimes can't.
It was a beautiful reminder that emotional exploration isn’t just for little ones—we’re all still growing, feeling, and healing.
Books That Open Doors
Throughout the event, many families sat down to read—or re-read—In My Heart and Moving In Forever, finding new meaning in familiar pages. For some adults, the stories stirred memories of their own childhood losses. These moments led to deep, heartfelt conversations with Ms. Rebecca, our founder and the author of Moving In Forever, who connected with attendees and answered questions with warmth, compassion, and care.
A Community Gathering of Care
We also hosted a table to share more about our nonprofit’s mission—providing resources and creative tools to help families navigate grief and big feelings together. It became more than an info booth; it was a place where community members gathered to share their own experiences, ask questions, and connect in meaningful ways.
What unfolded was not just a fun family art activity, but a genuine moment of community connection, compassion, and heart.
Thank You, Bucktown Arts Fest!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Holstein Park. We loved seeing so many families stop by to connect, create, and reflect together. Special thanks to our very own Ms. Rebecca for guiding us through the stories and art—and for bringing the color-blending magic to life!
We can’t wait to do it again next year. 💛