REVERE — A fresh sheet of ice became a canvas for the local community equipped with brushes and a rainbow of paints Saturday night at the Cronin Skating Rink and Revere Recreation’s paint and skate night.
Two-year-old Lorenzo Gouveia was all smiles while spreading blues and purples across the ice. He and his mother Jennifer worked together to write “Lorenzo cool” near the center of the rink.
“He really enjoys painting because he can make a mess,” she said.
Close by Larry Savarese was watching his grandson Nathan put the finishing touches on another masterpiece.
“It’s Spongebob,” Nathan said, adding eyelashes to the popular cartoon character.
Hundreds showed up to the event some lacing up skates while others walked to the painting area marked by orange cones. The rink had experimented with the idea at the beginning of the year but this time collaborated with Revere Recreation.
“We wanted to throw the weight of the city behind this and it’s an amazing success,” said Revere Recreation worker Charlie Giuffrida.
Giuffrida was delighted with the large turnout and said they will work to make this an annual event.
While the community painted away, rink manager John Carroll was armed with a nozzle and sprayed finished works with a mist to help preserve them for the time being. Later he and his crew would have to remove the paintings and get the rink ready for a local youth hockey game.
Carroll’s daughters also hit the ice and worked on their own art.
Katie, 9, was putting frosting on her cupcake in the form of red paint while her sister Sarah, 5, was still in the holiday spirit painting a Christmas tree.
Before long the ice was lined with dozens of similar creations and signatures.
“It’s so exciting to see everyone come out,” Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo said. “It speaks to what we are trying to do to create a close community and entertainment.”
Revere High School Junior Matt Cravotta used the event as an opportunity to ask his girlfriend to prom.
He decorated the ice with hearts surrounding the word prom followed by a question mark and surprised her with flowers.
She said yes.
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