Balloon Sculpture In Catonsville Shares Coronavirus Message

CATONSVILLE, MD — A balloon artist from Catonsville shared her gift with her hometown to remind people how they can best help their community stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

Flavia Oleniewski, owner of Partistry Events, installed a heart made of balloons that stands 7 feet tall and 7 feet wide next to the "Catonsville" sign on Frederick Road. It spelled out the following message: "Save lives, Stay Home."

The Catonsville native is one of more than 200 balloon artists around the world installing balloon sculptures Thursday in their communities.

It's part of an initiative called One Million Bubbles of Joy, which unites balloon artists in an effort to spread joy during the time of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Our team went from fully booked for months, to having nothing to do," Oleniewski said. "We have lots of balloons from cancellations, so we figured we’d use them to spread some joy to our home town."

Partistry Events lost more than $20,000 due to cancellations and planned events due to the virus, she said.

To slow the spread of the new coronavirus, the governor banned gatherings of more than 10 people a week ago, on March 19.

Balloon orders were canceled for a prom, movie theater premiere for Trolls 2, baby showers and large fundraisers as the events were called off.

To come up with a way to still serve customers, Partistry Events tried to adapt.

"Balloon deliveries was never part of our business plan, but when all of our events were canceled we shifted gears and launched our online store," Oleniewski said.

But then another mandate came.

"The day after launching the store, the governor said all business should close, so our plan B came to a halt too," she told Patch. "We’re hoping once the order is lifted, we can resume. Everyone deserves a special birthday, even if at home, so we’d like to help with that."

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered all nonessential businesses to close at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.

Oleniewski, who is a certified balloon artist, said she is not eligible for the financial relief programs he announced in the aftermath of the order to assist local businesses.

"Because I don’t have any employees, only a couple of independent contractors to help with installs, I don’t qualify for any of the governor’s relief efforts," Oleniewski said, "so I literally have no money coming in."

Partistry Events, which is based on Franklintown Road, creates custom pieces for individuals, events and organizations around the Baltimore-Washington area.

"My business has been severely affected," Oleniewski said, but that is not what motivated her to participate in One Million Bubbles of Joy.

"This project isn’t about that. It’s not even about marketing," she said. "I just wanted to play with balloons and do [something] to bring smiles to the community. "

The heart sculpture will be on display through the weekend in the 300 block of Frederick Road in Catonsville.