The First Salida Chalk Festival will transform downtown Salida into a giant outdoor gallery of colorful murals on June 29 and the call for entries is out.
Like the Madonnari tradition of chalk painting of Italy, artists will create their works right on East Sackett Avenue between F and E streets. Salida now joins other major cities around the world who offer Chalk Art Festivals, the first of which in the Western Hemisphere dates back to 1987 in Santa Barbara, California.
Chalk artists at work. Image courtesy Pixabay.com
Watch as artists create 5 foot x 5 foot temporary art works of chalk and pastel LIVE and enjoy colorful art, live music, and concessions during the Festival. The Salida Chalk Festival is produced by the City of Salida Arts and Culture, and the Salida Creative District in partnership with the Salida Public Arts Commission.
A Celebration and Awards ceremony, which includes the selection of Judges Choice and People’s Choice awards for community, individual, and youth teams begins at 5:30 p.m. on June 29.
“Chalk art is also a very forgiving medium, said Tina Gramann, Salida Creative District Supervisor. It blends easily, you can erase, and the colors are bright and immediate. A person of any skill level can feel confident at trying their hand at creating a chalk mural.”
“I have participated in numerous Chalk Festivals and am in awe at the skill level of other artists I have seen, and I have also witnessed how happy visitors are when they see it. Even when chalking by myself in Salida to practice my skill, people will stop and talk,” she added. “Over the span of several years, that is how I met several artists including Mohan, Dustin Tidwell, and even Jack Chivvis while I was out chalking. I met [radio personality] Dan R. that way as well.”
Two cohorts of entries
The Salida Creative District invites artists within a 150-mile radius to apply to be an artist for the First Salida Chalk Festival to be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, June 29 in historic downtown Salida. The Artist Workday and Salida Chalk Festival will be held rain or shine and this year’s theme is “Sweet Home Salida”.
It’s a chance for artists to go big and be bold. “Within the guidelines, artists can create artwork that celebrates our place whether that be our natural surroundings, from local landscapes to wildlife, to recreational activities like biking or snowboarding, or landmarks such as Tenderfoot Mountain or the caboose, history, people, or community such as the Giraffe Man, etc. What does Sweet Home Salida to you?,” asked Gramann.
Cohort 1- Selected Artists
Deadline to enter: May 10, 2024
Those interested to become “Selected Artists” should submit a sketch of their proposed artwork along with a brief description and include (2-3) images of work that shows relevant experience in large scale work such as chalk art or murals. Selected artists will receive a set of 24 color pastels, an event “artist” t-shirt, breakfast and lunch, and a $250 stipend.
Selected Artists are chosen by the following criteria: complete application; a local artist within 150-mile radius; creative use of theme; their sketch adheres to guidelines; past work demonstrates the ability to complete 5’ x 5’ piece in one day.
Apply to be a Selected Artist on the CaFė website; or drop off the application form and required images at the Salida Steam Plant ℅ Salida Chalk Festival; or email the application and required images with subject line “Salida Chalk Festival” to info@salidasteamplant.com.
Cohort 2 – Community teams, individual and youth teams
Community teams, individual and youth teams are open to the public.
Entries open May 17, space is limited and artists must work on their 5′ x 5′ squares during the event.
If you are interested in participating as a community team, individual or youth team, keep watching for details.
“I will be holding a couple of free Chalk Art 101 Workshops prior to the festival to share what I have learned over the years in regard to design, layout, scale, blending tips, and equipment to keep yourself as comfortable as possible while drawing on your hands and knees,” said Gramann.
For more information, contact: Tina Gramann, Salida Creative District Supervisor; 719-530-0933 or email tina.gramann@cityofsalida.com.
Visit SalidaCreates.com
Featured image: courtesy City of Salida Arts and Culture, and the Salida Creative District in partnership with the Salida Public Arts Commission
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