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Chalk Art World / Doug Wiltshire

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Chalk Art Worlds in Oregon

 

Douglas Wiltshire

AAD 450 Art in Society

Professor Flood                                                                                                         2/9/17

 

 

Chalk Art is my choice of art world for my transmedia guide. Chalk art is not limited to Eugene but rather it is done all over the world. I will focus on the Eugene- Springfield area. There are multiple events that happen each year in this area that revolve around the use of chalk.

Springfield holds an annual Chalk Fest art event in the middle of August. They convert a paved area that is used for their open-air farmers market near Main Street. Competitors are given a section of sidewalk that measures 6’X6’ to design their own mural on. You must bring your own chalk and a healthy imagination. The event begins at 9 in the morning and ends at 4 pm in the afternoon. At this time, the winners are announced after the judges have voted. For the adults, 1st place is $600. Second place is $400 and 3rd place is $200. For the youth (12-17 years old) 1st place is $300. Second place is $200 and 3rd place is $100. The community loves it and it gives children and adults a chance to see an unusual art media in person.

The next is “Color Me Rad” which is a fun run that starts from Valley River Center, follows the bike path along the Willamette River and ends back at Valley River Center. It begins with event planners throwing chalk bombs at competitors and then spectators throw chalk bombs at runners all along the event route finishing in one huge chalk bomb fight at the very end.

Chalk art has to be one of the easiest ways for kids to play games with one another.                 Hopscotch “I can spell my name” is a great game for small children and they can learn to spell their name at the same time.

Water balloon bull’s-eye is a lot like lawn darts with out the trepidation of your child inadvertently stabbing their sibling, friend or your neighbor with a 3/8’s” projectile.

Sidewalk Spirograph! Just think of the original spirograph only X’s 10! Available at Walmart along with their giant 128 color chalk set for 17.99.

Chalk Art Puddles. Who says you can’t play with chalk in the rain! Chalk makes great rainbows when swiped through a small puddle of water. There are many more games I could list here for children and adults alike. Playing with chalk is a great way to get your kids outside and undertake a tactile craft that is boundless.

There are also numerous ways to blend your own colors for exploding chalk bombs.

http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/05/play-recipe-sidewalk-chalk.html

Just make a target on the driveway and watch the fun begin!

Chalk art can also be done “Guerilla” style. In warmer climates such as Los Angeles chalk art has become a pastime with local artists and the chalk will not be washed away like in it is in more temporal climates such as the Pacific Northwest. Because chalk is temporal in nature the laws are not the same for “tagging” with chalk as they are for spray paint.

David Zinn has made a name for himself as a street art illustrator. He has done most of his street work from his home in Ann Arbor MI. He too has pushed the limits of the law by creating a piece on the side of a Federal building before he knew there were restrictions. He emphasizes that most areas are public space and can be used as a canvas. He considers what he does as “ethereal art” as well as anamorphic art. He started it so he could be outside. One of his mottos is, “create what makes you happy, right now”! This picture is of “Sluggo” opening spring.

http://zinnart.com/2014/10/every-day-a-new-slate-some-thoughts-on-etherial-art/

 

The internet is filled with Youtube videos on how to make things with chalk or drawing with chalk or great ideas for using chalk.

In St.Louis there is a group called, “Chalk Riot”. One of their mottos is, “moving at the speed of culture”. From their website you can hire a chalk artist to come into your business and make signs or murals and just captivating visuals for every surface. They also promote community art events and it is a great way to spotlight this type of talent to the masses.

http://www.chalkriotart.com/chalkboardmurals