The city of Palo Alto recently unveiled the latest group of projects to receive ArtLift microgrants. The program grew out of city efforts to foster connection and promote safe community engagement in order to counter the isolation of the pandemic. The 2022 ArtLift projects highlight both visual and performing arts, with temporary artworks and installations, as well as pop-up and scheduled performances. Projects are free and accessible to the public.

ArtLift projects will take place over roughly the next four months at locations throughout the city.

A number of the projects feature special days when the community can take part in the creation of a piece, including: workshops on Aug. 21 and 27 for the piece "Small Gestures," in which artist Victoria Heilweil leads participants through an exploration of ideas of value and beauty through postcard writing;and a series of drawing workshops Aug. 9-30 for "Mapping Palo Alto Together" by artist Perry Meigs where the process offers participants the opportunity to visualize how the patterns of their daily lives have changed over the course of the pandemic.

Even the city's four-legged, furry or scaled denizens will be invited to get in on the act with "Pets of Palo Alto: A Family Portrait Project," as arts professional Harriet Stern in collaboration with photographer Federica Armstrong hold community photo sessions for residents and their pets on weekends from Aug. 13 through Sept. 4. The photos will be displayed in an exhibit scheduled for October.

The community is also invited to bring donations of used K-cups, through Aug. 28, to be upcycled by artist Amber Smith into the piece "Cuppa Joe" — and get a chance to see Smith at work.

For more information, visit cityofpaloalto.org. Look for the Palo Alto Weekly's interviews with some of the featured artists later this month.

— Heather Zimmerman