About

It all started when…

Shelton Hawkins returned to his hometown of Easton, MD, and noticed that the basketball court at Idlewild Park was empty. When he was growing up, kids of all ages spent every minute of their free time at that court. Older kids let the younger ones play and even join in sometimes. The younger kids played hard, hoping to be seen and let into the next game. It was the heart of the community, everyone belonged. But when Shelton went back home to Easton after college and a year abroad, nobody was there.

Determined to bring the courts back to life, Shelton teamed up with Easton Town Councilwoman, Megan Cook. Together, they created a plan to create a public art project on the court. They presented the plan to Talbot County Parks & Recreation, who loved the idea so much that they asked if both town basketball courts – the one at Idlewild Park and the one at Moton Park - could be part of the project.

Easton High School AP art students were invited to submit designs for Moton Park, and with some 40 designs to choose from, Easton High School senior Catherine (Callie) Blizzard’s artwork won the contest. The Moton Park basketball court with its soft hues is Callie’s original design. She is now a student at the Tyler School of Art at Temple University.

The next step was to find funding. Gerry Early of the Talbot County Arts Council suggested that the team approach the Maryland State Arts Council for a special public art grant celebrating their 50th anniversary. Talbot County submitted the project and it won the award, bringing in the first contribution to the project, soon followed by support from Dock Street Foundation, the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s Artistic Insights Fund, and contributions from individuals and a local church.

The Town of Easton kicked into action and made significant contributions to make these courts what they are today. The resurfaced both courts, expanded the size of one and provided new poles, arms, backboards and benches for spectators. Shelton and Megan reached out to the local community and students, youth, friends and neighbors all pitched in to paint the courts in the summer of 2019. Ben Phillips of Easton’s Avon Decorating Benjamin Moore paint supply store stopped by to see the action, and ended up donating paint to the project.

Shelton’s vision is to continue to create inspiring and beautiful basketball courts that will draw their own audiences, and bring kids back onto courts in parks every day with regular basketball youth clinics onsite. He intends to build more of these courts, with teams of neighbors and friends, partnering with local communities. You, too, can be part of this – click here to donate! Be sure to note “Play In Color.”