(Chelsea Update would like to thank Susan Gartner for the photos and this column about her experience as a chalk artist.)
On Saturday, Sounds & Sights Festival featured its first Community Chalk Art event. Inspired by the annual two-day Denver Chalk Art Fest, Sounds & Sights Chalk Event Coordinator Jennifer Sinkwitts’ plan was to “blanket” Middle Street with squares of colorful chalk art from participants of all ages and abilities.
I learned about the event back in May through a post on Chelsea Update. At that time, I had visited the Chelsea area twice in my mission to find a small arts-friendly community, located close to a thriving metropolitan city. My hope is to eventually relocate from my current home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and I thought the chalk art idea was creative and clever.
I registered immediately.
Since then, my best-of-the-small-towns-search has resulted in a local house sitting gig for the summer. This opportunity gives me the amazing gift of living right here in your midst, getting a feel for the people, job opportunities, library events, lakes, parks, and rummage sales (see earlier post with my happy haul).
By 11 a.m. on the morning of the “chalk walk,” the professional chalk artists were well into their work when I stopped by the booth to meet Jennifer and pick up my chalk. The skies had been overcast all morning but she was optimistic and cheery. Five-foot-by-five-foot squares had been chalked off for preregistered participants and passersby who were suddenly inspired to join in the fun. I had been practicing my design on the driveway of the house I’m house sitting and was ready to go with sponges, plastic containers for water, sun hat, sunscreen, and a power bar.
When we started to feel the droplets at 11:30, I’m sure we all assumed it was a brief summer sprinkle that would quickly pass. By 11:45, all our colorful masterpieces, in various stages of completeness, were now a misty mess. Some of the professionals were prepared with tarps and tents for just this situation. But even the hair spray tucked away in their arsenal of trade tools couldn’t protect their art from the downpour.
In the words of Tavi, a young participant who shared a doorway with me where we tried to stay dry, it was “a colossal rain.”
By noon, the sun was out again, and I was at the Kiwanis hot dog booth, getting sustenance while waiting for the pavement to dry.
One of the chalk art professionals, Tiffany, explained how the wet pavement could actually be used to lay down the background color for my design. She loaned me a paintbrush and showed me how to spread the chalk color around. I learned about layering colors to make them more intense.
She explained that the wet pavement can assist in making objects in the background appear muddy, undistinguished, and far away. Later on, the dry pavement would be perfect for working on objects in the foreground that need sharp edges and fine detail. Another artist (whose Van Gogh-inspired “Starry Night in Chelsea” would make a perfect cover photo for the next Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory) told me that the added wetness actually helped with her blending technique.
The event was a great showing of community spirit and resourcefulness.
Instead of dampening our spirits, the rain provided a cosmic “do-over” and inspired us to think outside the chalk-outlined box, which had long since washed away. More participants joined in as they saw the revived enthusiasm.
Tiffany expertly morphed her original flower into a vibrant green and purple tree-hugging lizard.
A 3D chalk artist created a gremlin busting up and out of the pavement. By 2 p.m., a wonderful mix of artists – young and old — were happily playing in the street.
Thank you to festival coordinators and volunteers for your support of local artists. The artwork was fleeting but the memories are colorfast.
Great article, Susan. Sounds like a really fun event. I feel like I was there. So glad you got to be around for it.