Thursday, October 1, 2026
Malverne kicked off its ninth annual art walk on Sept. 19, showcasing 115 artworks down Hempstead Avenue and nearby blocks.
The art displayed includes several mediums, such as painting, photography, multimedia pieces and more. About 90 artists participated this year, including students from Howard T. Herber Middle School and Malverne Senior High School. Their pieces, many of them illustrations, are on display in the basement of the public library.
There were also public events happening down Hempstead Avenue, including live mural painting by artists Rich Courage and Pat MacCary outside Malverne Cinema and Art Center. There was also live music being played near the Bridge Church.
There were also designated areas on the sidewalk for people to make chalk art. Titled “Chalk it Up,” children and adults drew chalk art down Hempstead Avenue and beyond.
Organized by the Malverne Chamber of Commerce, the art walk is intended to put local artists’ names out there while promoting the businesses that are part of the chamber.
Chamber President Elizabeth Krull thanked the artists for participating, saying the event was vital for building business in Malverne.
“When we place your important pieces in the storefronts of these businesses, you, solely, are helping people find who [the businesses] are and what they do,” Krull said.
The project was spearheaded by Maria Casini, chairwoman of the chamber, who thought of the idea over 10 years ago. As the owner of Visual Fuel Design, a design consultant, she wanted to bring art to the streets to promote small businesses.
Art was mainly displayed in the windows of businesses, such as Guerda Faustin’s painting, “Fam Creole (Creole woman).” Faustin, who has been submitting artwork for the show since 2018, wanted to depict a Haitian Creole woman during the fight for Haitian independence as a way of showing women’s strength.
“This painting symbolizes our strength as women in general, not just in Haiti, in the world,” Faustin said. “How we help, in one way or another, to reshape our society.”
Her painting was put next to the winner of best in show, Kathryn Maher’s “Man on Subway.” Maher makes paintings that are mostly based on New York City environments and people as part of her cityscapes collection. Those two paintings are showcased in the window of the Malverne School of Self Defense.
Casini acknowledged the growth that the art walk has seen since 2017 and credited the artists for it.
“Because your work is attracting people, drawing people to our community, the work is better and better every year,” Casini said.
The artworks will be on display until Oct. 15.
