Jessie Langley works on her entry for Chalk Walk 2015. Winner: Second Place, College Single Artist.
Because so many people look forward to the Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk each year, we’re republishing this post featuring some of the amazing art from Chalk Walk 2015. The 2017 event will be held at Market Square Knoxville on Saturday, April 1 — all day!
For the seventh year in a row, artists (professional, novice, and student) turned ordinary sidewalks in Knoxville’s Market Square into magical canvases for Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk 2015. Arriving mid-morning gets you a view of artists at work. So you may need another visit after lunch to see finished art. Here’s a little of both.
We began by talking with Michael Gunnels sketching this sassy, bug-eyed cat.
And then watched Curtis Glover capture the Knoxville skyline and Tennessee logo in chalk.
Knoxville collage by Curtis Glover
Some artists campaigned for votes. Like Blythe Lundberg. And why not? Cute snail on a quilt-pattern background — all finished by lunchtime. No small feat, we thought.
Snail design with blue background by Blythe Lundgren. Vote for #16!
It didn’t escape us that young, young people were hunched over these drawings, too. Like the team from Sequoyah Elementary slamming colorful gumballs into their orange machine. And their reward? First Place in Elementary division.
This sweet entry done by kids from the Montessori School had something extra: origami birds laid on top.
Montessori School entry — Chalk Walk 2015
When we finally looked up, we saw folks on the square in the middle of a party of sorts. So much going on — musicians, magicians, and kids sketching chalk drawings in their own area reserved for kid spontaneity.
Even furry friends got into the action. Like this dog belonging to a hard-working artist who kept shushing the dog away from the art only to find the pet smack dab in the middle of the chalk — again.
But I like it here!
Winners
Best of Show
Drawing the most attention, and for good reason, was Shane Sandberg‘s astronaut. Winning Best of Show for detail and a sense of humor (Space guy’s holding a drink called a Shaneberg), Sandberg’s drawing took chalk art to a new level. Literally.
Working from a picture, Shane Sandberg adds exquisite detail to his astronaut chalk drawing.
Astronaut holding a Shaneberg by Shane Sandberg. (Instagram: @theshaneberg)
People’s Choice Award
Who doesn’t like Anna and Elsa? It took hard work all day by Deirdre Pokrzywa and Sarah Bellah to bring these young ladies — and Olaf — to life in chalk
People’s Choice Award from the movie Frozen by Deirdre Pokrzywa and Sarah Bellah
Other Favorites
On the Market Square stage, Jessie Steinberg (2014 Best of Show winner) wowed us with detail: a very friendly dog in a garden setting. (Winner 2015: First Place, Adult Division)
Nearby, the girls we featured in a previous post (Weekly Photo Challenge: Afloat) were busy free handing a drawing of a girl in a koi pond. (At least that’s what it looked like to us.) The dreamy effect and the matching koi patterns weren’t lost on us: these two UT Elementary Education majors said they were enjoying the design work as much as the hard work. (Winner: Second Place, College Collaborative)
After our lunch, we stumbled (literally, since there were so many people in close quarters) upon other notables that struck our fancy.
Old truck by Cody Swaggerty. Winner: Second Place, Adult Single Artist
Diver by the McQuilkin Family. Winner: Second Place, Family Division.
Striped figure by Elena Lawson. Winner: First Place, Middle School Single Artist
Barry Gibb by Erin Pelicano
Lauryn Darby’s entry. Winner: First Place, College Single Artist
Our vote for best detail is this portrait by Sarah and Abigail Gibson.
Great work, don’t you think? We’re still wondering how artists 1) decide what to draw, 2) select colors and chalks, and 3) stay in the bent-over position for hours.
Mark this on your calendar for 2016. It’s just one of many artsy events of the Dogwood Arts Festival. See you in Knoxville next year?
Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk 2015
List of winners: http://www.dogwoodarts.com/chalk-walk/
Sponsors:
Avanti Savoia: http://www.avantisavoia.com/
Jerry’s Artarama: http://www.jerrysartarama.com/
For more information:
“Chalk it up as a great weekend.” The Blue Streak. http://bluestreak.moxleycarmichael.com/2015/04/16/chalk-it-up-as-a-great-weekend/
luizamogosanu
This is amazing. Wish we´d have something similar here, in our city too… Thank you for sharing!
Luiza
Oh, the Places We See
And thank you for taking a look. We love this event every April. Just when we thought we’d seen it all, artists of all ages surprise us with new creations. It’s a magical day — and elusive. One big rain can take it all away in a moment!
luizamogosanu
It´s the ephemeral mark that makes it so magical, exactly! I definitely love this venturous potential, plus the energy of pushing the imaginative power. Great one!
GP Cox
The astronaut and friendly dog are remarkable!!
Oh, the Places We See
I totally agree — can’t believe the design work and then the execution. All that bending over to create these panels. Thanks for taking a look!
Curt Mekemson
Liked this as much the second time around as I did the first time, Rusha. Thanks. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
You’re so right. We’ve posted it a couple of times. But it’s kinda like Burning Man. I love looking at old events. I’m not so good at remembering anyway, so the refresher does me good! Hope all is well in Oregon this time of year!
Curt Mekemson
I am looking forward to having some new Burning Man photos this year! (grin) Spring has arrived here with a vengeance, Rusha. Sooting stars are blooming in an abundance I have never seen, the tom turkeys are strutting around with feathers in full display, and a flicker is drumming on our roof vents everyday in hopes of attracting a lady love. 🙂 –Curt
Curt Mekemson
My favorites: The dog with the frisbee and the old truck. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
We think alike but not surprised. These are crowd faves, too. That old truck had a great deal of shading and variation in color — a real standout. Thanks for looking and commenting. Much appreciated.
Judy @ newenglandgardenandthread
This post needs a ‘really like’ button. 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much, Judy. We really like this event, too! In fact, we reschedule everything to be sure we get there. So much creativity and fun!
LuAnn
We have encountered these Chalk Walks in a few places where we have traveled. Such creativity and color!
Oh, the Places We See
So true, LuAnn. First, we don’t know how anyone decides on a subject. And then, how in the world they get all that shading in so many of the pictures. It’s pretty fun to watch!
Sue
Most colourful!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Sue! And those colors aren’t just one-dimensional for the most part. The shading brings all of these to life. Glad you liked it!
cindy knoke
Gorgeousness!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Cindy. One of our favorite events of the Dogwood Arts Festival.
Amy
Amazing chalk arts! Magical, indeed. Thank you for this series, Rusha! 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks, Amy. It’s hard to believe this is chalk, right?