Stamford Downtown Unveils Vibrant Sidewalk Art by Local Artist Chancellor Hayes Five New Permanent Installations Enhance Public Spaces through Creative Placemaking

Stamford Downtown is proud to announce the completion of the Sidewalk Art in Stamford Downtown Placemaking Project—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, now on view at key locations throughout Stamford Downtown.

From playful prompts to whimsical visuals, each piece invites passersby to engage with the city in a joyful, unexpected way. 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.

Stamford Downtown encourages our residents, visitors, employees and students to take a selfie with this artwork at tag @StamfordDowntown. Stamford Downtown will repost as many of these photos as possible.

Download images of the Sidewalk Art Project here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yqutsldnn3con3gcwc2g9/AIasGGlq16_ImF9INh-auc8?rlkey=crsa9zcu7l8nk17g8k2yunn9g&dl=0

Follow @StamfordDowntown and @8ballcreates on Instagram.

About Chancellor Hayes

Chandler finds immense satisfaction in transforming public spaces through art. His work on the Stamford Downtown Sidewalk Art Project has been a truly enriching experience for him; offering insights into the logistical dance of urban art – from exploring the city for ideal locations and scheduling painting days in the heat of summer, to discovering the perfect materials. With pieces like "Jump" and "Kiss Here" in Columbus Park, "Playground Club" at Latham, "Smile Here" in Kiwanis Park, and "What Will You Read Today?" at Ferguson Library, Chancellor has poured creativity into every design and concept. He cherishes the fun of this creative process and is enthusiastic about future opportunities to bring art to the community. 8ballcreates on Instagramon Instagram

About Stamford Downtown Special Services District:

Stamford Downtown Special Services District is responsible for creating, managing and promoting a quality environment for people, which enhances the economic vitality of Stamford Downtown. Stamford Downtown