With a square chunk of sidewalk and 24 colors of pastel chalk, Forest Grove citizens are invited to show off their artistic talent with no regard to skill level. The 22nd annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival will take place on Main Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15.
After seeing the success of chalk art festivals such as the Santa Barbara festival, the Valley Art Association decided to create this event for the Forest Grove community. In 1990, the event drew its way into the heart of summer by promoting a creative family friendly festival rich in color and community spirit.
Each person or group who participates in the event pays $12 for a block on the sidewalk and a pack of pastel chalk.
The festival is not judged, promoting a relaxed environment to let participants’ creativity flourish.
“It’s always nice to see squares with a collaboration of artists. Some squares have entire families, groups of friends, sororities and fraternities that work together to create their artwork,” said Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival Co-chair Roylene Read.
The event brings talent from all corners of the Grove by featuring local artists. Forest Grove High School student Jean Ramirez and members of the community, Doug Anderson, Steve Sill and Greg Ovlowsky and former FGHS graduate Kat Moss will be set up throughout the event creating their chalk masterpieces.
Other local artists, Fran Richards and Amanda Hudson, will be working from easels creating chalk demos that will be displayed throughout the city after the event.
This festival mixes many genres of art by having entertainment from musicians such as Big Mama Gayle and her Sugar Daddies, The Hartung Brothers and Hugh King. Joe Mishkin the Balloon Guy and Penny’s Puppets are also showcasing their art forms at the event.
Tracing its way through the community, the proceeds for this event go to help Forest Grove high school seniors pay for college art supplies. Art students who are chosen for the scholarship are given $300 for their freshman year and, if they supply the commission with samples of their college art, can receive an additional $300 for their sophomore year.
Read gives thanks to the Community Enhancement Grant, Public Arts Commission and donations from businesses and individuals in the community for helping the Valley Arts Commission fund the festival.
Amateur and experienced artists can pre-register for the event on Sept. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Valley Art Gallery on Main Street. Registration on Sept. 15 is available in front of the gallery from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Rain or shine, the event will go on,” said Read. She stated in the 22-year history of the event, they have only been rained out twice.
Despite the unpredictable weather, Read is convinced that the event will be a hit and sculpt its way into the memories of Pacific students and community alike.
Also on Saturday, the 48th annual Corn Roast will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. in the West Lawn by Marsh Hall.
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