Everyday Heroes: Walks of Art

When Shawn Burnett was growing up in a single-parent home in West Baltimore, he didn't fit the mold. He enjoyed fashion and went to art school, and while his friends listened to rap music, he preferred R&B and soul.

"Even though I stood out, I was never antagonized for it, and I wanted to provide that same opportunity to kids now," he said.

That desire led Burnett to found Walks of Art, a nonprofit organization that aims to fill the void between youth and the arts. The group launched in February of 2011 and is gearing up for its second summer of workshops that expose children to visual arts, performing arts, and fashion design. The 10-week summer program, which meets three times per week, will expose 40 to 60 youth to innovative events that let them explore and expand their interests.

"My goal is to expose kids to possibilities they they never thought were available to them and allow them to build on those talents," Burnett, now 24, said. "The kids love it, and we’re giving them the opportunity to expand when they want to do art, dance theatre or other interests. Now they have an outlet, and by helping them, they can excel in anything they want to, no matter what their situation is."

Burnett partnered with other local organizations last year, including the Black Male Identity Project, Art on Purpose, the Baltimore Freedom Academy, and the Contemporary Museum of Art, to hold various shows and workshops. Now studying nonprofit leadership to grow his knowledge of how to run Walks of Art, Burnett is exploring other options, such as partnering with the Baltimore City Public Schools system or Department of Recreation & Parks to offer the programs year-round.

Burnett is an inspiring young man with a wonderful dream that he is making a reality. He is truly one of Baltimore's Everyday Heroes.

To learn more about Walks of Art, visit walksofart.org or email shawn@walksofart.org.