Iris Festival to include chalk art contest
The Iris Festival is just around the corner and this year there will be a chalk art contest everyone in the community can take part in.
The Iris Festival is just around the corner and this year there will be a chalk art contest everyone in the community can take part in.
At its meeting last Tuesday, the Porterville City Council directed the arts commission to proceed with the contest, formally called the Spring Expressions Chalk Art Project. The council also appropriated $350 to the arts commission for the project from the 2017-18 Community Promotions operating budget.
Jenni Byers, the city’s community development director, said the commission intends the contest to be open to all levels of art experience to help create an awareness for art in the community. She said the contest entails the contestants creating art with chalk on 18 inch by 24 inch charcoal paper.
“This will provide a smooth surface for the art, allow the artwork to be saved after the event and reduce the cleanup effort required after the event,” Byers said.
The Porterville Chamber of Commerce has agreed to partner with the arts commission on the project and provide two booth spaces free of charge.
As far as the contest,
Byers said there are two categories — one for those age 12 and under and another for all ages.
Participants must check in at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. She said those who have not checked in by 10 a.m. may have their assigned space disqualified.
Artists may begin creating their work at 8 a.m. She said artists are encouraged to begin promptly to ensure they have time to complete quality work
before the voting window. Byers said artists will have until noon to draw.
Voting will start at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. She said voters will receive one ticket. She said the two categories — 12 and under and all ages — will be awarded for most votes. Winners, Byers said, will be announced at the Porterville City Council’s May 15 meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Those interested in showing off their artistic abilities can pre-register
for the contest at City Hall or the Porterville Library. She said registration is free and pre-registration is preferred. She noted that spaces are limited to preregistrations only.
Pre-registration closes at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24. She said the first 15 to pre-register get a chalk holder.
No one will be able to participate in the contest, Byers said, without a signed registration form. She said parents of minors (under
18 years of age) must sign for them. Minors, she said, must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
The arts commission reserves the right to revoke/ refuse space at any time, without recourse by the participant. She said the arts commission shall not be liable to anyone for this action.
A set of non-toxic pastels (chalk) and paper will be provided. She said participants must turn in chalk at the end of the event. Artists, she said, will draw on paper that will be affixed to the street with blue masking tape. She said artists are free to take home their artwork after the judging.
Participants are responsible for the security of their own belongings. She said the arts commission will not accept responsibility for stolen or damaged property, accidents, or injury.
In terms of drawing, Byers said participants must remain within the lines of their assigned space and not damage surrounding paintings. She said no chalking will be allowed directly on the street or sidewalk.
The arts commission reserves the right to deem and remove a painting inappropriate for a familythemed event. She said art must be family friendly. She added that commercial advertising messages, business logos, alcohol/ tobacco themes, nudity, vulgar/explicit language or expressed will not be allowed.
Digital photos, she said, may be taken and used for publicity purposes. She said artists agree to permit their artwork to be displayed on the City of Porterville website and social media pages.
For more information about the contest, call 7827460.