THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021 Page 7 Artist awarded citation for advancing arts, culture E By Tara Vocino verett’s Ward 2 Councillor, Stephanie Martins, awarded a citation to Malden artist Karyn Alzayer for her contributions to the community – over Zoom video conferencing on Wednesday night. The founder of Integral Arts Everett, Alzayer, who lived in Everett until 2018, worked with city offi cials to launch the fi rst Everett Art Walk and a City Hall art gallery on the fi rst fl oor. “I’m so honored to be receiving this award,” Alzayer said. “I have worked tirelessly to promote awareness and build community around the arts in Everett, because I believe that Karyn Alzayer, of Malden, created a traveling wishing wall where residents post a dream that they hope will come true. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins presented a citation to artist Karyn Alzayer virtually on Wednesday night for her contributions to the community. Artist Karyn Alzayer started a citywide “rocktober” to encourage kindness. (Photo Courtesy of Karyn Alzayer) during a time when people need it most. Martins said Alzayer has a way of describing things through her art so people can envision it. For additional information, visit integralsartseverett.org. Artist Karyn Alzayer at one of the stops along the Everett Art Walk Everett, like everywhere else, deserves great art and arts experiences.” Her projects include creating a traveling wishing wall where residents can post their requests; a socially distant outdoor art walk, encouraging residents to explore time outside; and a “rocktober,” where she placed rocks around the city in October with words of encouragement on them. Renee Solano said Alzayer’s art helps to keep her sane Children placed a wish that they’d like to see come true on the wishing wall. (Photos Courtesy of Daud Alzayer) during the pandemic. “She spreads so much light, hope, and action,” Solano said. Samantha Lambert said Alzayer uses her creativity to bring everyone together ~ LETTER TO THE EDITOR ~ Councillor Capone commends residents for resilience Dear Residents of Everett: My family and I would like to extend to each of you a Happy and Healthy New Year greeting. We are glad that 2020 is over and like most families are optimistic that 2021 will be better. The New Year is an opportunity to envision the future, but it is also a time to refl ect on the past. Like many, we have lost friends and family in 2020 to COVID-19 and other causes. Nevertheless, their spirit remains with us and they will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have experienced similar loss. I realize that many of you are tired: tired of not being able to visit friends and loved ones, celebrate holidays together, to give someone a needed hug, to attend in person school and work and to enjoy your favorite places. Quite frankly, it has been a long, difficult and exhausting year. That said, it was also a year that demonstrated our resilience and tenacity. As I refl ected upon the year 2020, I was moved by how much we accomplished by working together and the countless examples of commitment to community. One of the best things about Everett is that we care about one another. We always work together to fi nd a way to help. I have seen this wonderful quality in so many amazing people throughout this past year fi rsthand – whether it is volunteering at food pantries, delivering meals to those in need, neighbors caring for other neighbors, individuals remaining in the home to care for homebound relatives, and the parents and grandparents working with their students at home. Everett is blessed with quality agencies and organizations dedicated to helping others. It has been a true team eff ort and I’m so proud of all the organizations, volunteers, LETTER | SEE PAGE 15 and our residents. It is undeniable that these are trying times,
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