If you find yourself out on the West Coast this weekend (June 9 and 10), stop up at San Raphael, California (about 25 minutes north of San Francisco) and take in the gorgeous chalk work produced by hundreds of Madonnari (street artists). This annual event, sponsored by Youth in Arts (which provides visual and performing arts experiences and instruction to public and private school students), will bring together art, music, and great food in a weekend long event. (Check here for times and location.)
We are especially pleased to announce this event as long-time Endicott contributor Mark Wagner (right) and collaborator Clayton Thiel (left) will be the featured artists of the event. Here is the description Mark sent of this year's unique emphasis: "Artist Mark Wagner and sculptor Clayton Thiel embark on their first 3D street painting, introducing a new dimension to the art form. They have been collaborating since 2005, combining Mark's 2D drawing style with Clayton's 3D clay sculptures. The artists gave sculptural dimensions to their chalk drawing at the 2006 Youth in Arts Italian Street Painting Festival. This year, they turn the process around to bring their street painting right out of the street in three dimensions."
Mark sent along the working drawing (above) of their new piece, which will will be approximately 14 by 22 feet. It is an image of Saint Raphael, the patron saint of young people. Click here, on Mark's Hearts and Bones website, to see more of Mark's past chalk paintings. (My favorite is the Sistine Chapel.)
And have a look at Mark's ongoing project for 2008 -- Re-enchanting the World Through Art -- which he hopes will produce the largest collection of kids' chalk drawings in the world. Kids from kindergarten through high school will be participating in the project; the results will be photographed by satellite and the image will be used to further promote "Re-Enchanting the World Through Art."
Wow! That is amazing. All done with chalk on pavement! Happy 20th Endicott! Thanks for all that you do!
Posted by: Chris | June 05, 2007 at 10:25 AM
WOW!!! How amazing, and how sad to think that these beautiful works don't last...
Posted by: Carl V. | June 05, 2007 at 10:39 AM
"Sad?" There is also a "glad" that the chalk drawings have living in the present, here now, take it in for it won't be around for long. Like Navajo and Tibetan sand paintings. It's also liberating, as an artist, to know that the work is just for now, it has a freeing energy to it. ~Mark
Posted by: Mark Wagner | June 05, 2007 at 03:24 PM