Oct

Finding Common Ground: Chalk It Up to Art

by Janine Boylan on October 28, 2013

Day of the Dead: finding common ground through chalk art in San Antonio, Texas (Image © Janine Boylan)

Day of the many dead
© Janine Boylan

Community Building in Chalk Art

Turning a corner in busy San Antonio, Texas, and Oh, I see! The once-drab sidewalks are filled in with colorful patches of art.

At this chalk art festival and others like it worldwide, professional artists, school-aged children, and other community members find common ground by working side by side and filling the sidewalks with glorious colors and designs.

finding common ground through chalk art in San Antonio, Texas (Image courtesy of Artpace, San Antonio, by Francisco Cortes)

Chalk brings them together.
Image courtesy of Artpace, San Antonio, by Francisco Cortes

Most observers step carefully between and around the art to both appreciate it and not ruin it.

But sometimes the art is too tempting, and people just have to be part of it.

So, inspired by the art, they grab a stick and add their own mark.

finding common ground through chalk art in San Antonio, Texas (Image © Janine Boylan)

Adding his mark.
© Janine Boylan

Art History

Over the past few decades, chalk art festivals have been slowly spreading across the world.

Long ago, in the 16th century, street artists in Italy popularized the medium. Since they often copied religious symbols, they became known as i Madonnari. Traveling from city to city and creating their inspiring art on the dirty streets, i Madonnari relied on the public for donations.

The devastation of World War II slowed the artistry for a time, but in the 1970s, the talented artists at the International Street Painting Festival in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy, repopularized the art form. The Santa Barbara Mission is credited with starting the chalk art community festival trend in the United States.

Different themes naturally arise from the various festivals—like this pointy boot inspired by its Texas surroundings.

finding common ground through Rigoberto Luna's chalk art in San Antonio, Texas (Image © Janine Boylan)

La bota picuda by Rigoberto Luna
© Janine Boylan

Community Festivals

Part of the allure of the chalk festival is watching the art unfold in an unpredictable setting. Chalk art is as much about the process and the place as it is about the picture.

Artists can’t control where the sidewalk cracks are. The weather could turn at any moment from sun to rain. It could be scorching hot or hand-numbing cold.

Some artists come prepared with careful plans; others let the ideas tumble out of their chalk sticks.

And all of this happens in front of an appreciative, often inquisitive, audience.

Tommy Hopkins, finding common ground in his chalk art (Image by Todd Johnson, courtesy of Artpace San Antonio)

Tommy Hopkins
Image courtesy of Artpace San Antonio, by Todd Johnson

Dust to Dust

Chalk art’s life span is destined to be short. Merchants may spray the art away immediately, or it might get slowly carried away on the soles of passers-by.

finding common ground through Alex Rubio's chalk art in San Antonio, Texas (Image © Janine Boylan)

But in the short time of the festival, the community of professional, amateur, and spur-of-the-moment artists found common ground and perhaps a little inspiration in a bit of chalk.

Chalk art festivals happen year round, world-wide. The International Street Painting Society posts a schedule on their Web site so you an find one near you.

World Views:

Topics

Finding Common Ground: Chalk It Up to Art

Community Building in Chalk Art

Art History

Community Festivals

Dust to Dust

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