The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Students showcase artistry at Chalk Fest
Chalk Fest, held at Riverside Campus on Sept. 21, was a way to celebrate students’ creativity, said Art Teacher Drew Hartmann.
“We are always looking for opportunities to share our students’ talents with the community,” he said.
And what better way to do that than on sidewalks around the Painesville Township school?
Using concrete as a canvas, about 125 students, who were divided into groups of two, created art using chalk.
The event is in its second year and has certainly grown.
It started last year after Jessica Biller, who is the Art Department chairwoman, did a small chalk project with one of her classes.
The Art Department decided that was something they wanted to do with all of the classes to mimic the chalk festival held at the Cleveland Museum of Art, she said.
The chalk festival was offered to all Riverside students in eighth through 12th grade, including those with special needs. The students were required to submit a sketch and $5. Proceeds helped purchase supplies and support the Riverside Cares program.
In addition to sidewalk chalk, chalk pastels also were used.
“They are using paint brushes to do blending and add value to the drawing,” she said. “They are incorporating water to make the colors more vibrant to give it more contrast.”
It was an opportunity for the students to express themselves and display their interests through various designs. The designs included professional sports mascots, Disney characters, flowers and Halloween-themed artwork.
The y worked well together sharing ideas, critically thinking and executing their plans.
Biller said the artwork surprisingly lasts a while, too.
“I remember there was snow on the ground and you could still see them,” she said.
It also coincides with the homecoming parade, which is a great accent, Hartmann adds.
This year’s chalk festival at Riverside was deemed a success.
“We’re having a beautiful day and the students are having fun,” Biller said.