Painters can blend with color and photographers manipulate light. But some artists say those traditional forms lack the allure of making art with good old sidewalk chalk.
“One thing about the chalk is it’s very addictive,” says Michael Rieger, art director of the Eighth Annual Denver Chalk Art Festival in Larimer Square. The popular downtown Denver event, previously known as La Piazza ‘dell Arte, is today and Sunday. It includes a kids corner, a wine-tasting pavilion, contests and an awards ceremony.
Rieger says that as fun as it is for onlookers to watch as artists forge elaborate sidewalk chalk works, drawing on the ground while surrounded by dozens of comrades who are doing the same makes for a convivial experience.
“Drawing with that many people together is just really fun,” says Rieger. The artist and photographer co-owns Lapis Gallery on Tennyson Street and also sits on the Larimer Arts Association board, which produces this festival.
Amateurs and professional artists alike quickly take to sidewalk chalk, Rieger says. Consider that five years ago, Manea Von Griffyn was simply walking through Larimer Square as organizers prepared for the next day’s chalk festival when the she was bitten by the sidewalk- chalk bug.
“I like doing art but I hate the isolation of it. I’m a total people person,” says Griffyn, a Metropolitan State College of Denver student who happened to be on her way to class at the time. She’s majoring in psychology and minoring in art with aspirations of becoming an art therapist.
That year, Griffyn inquired as to whether she might be able to try her hand at chalk art during the festival. She ended up taking over a small space sponsored by the Denver Film Society, which was supposed to be used by an artist who couldn’t make it.
“They give you a free box of chalk, so that’s all I had,” recalls the Aurora resident.
Griffyn drew a vivid red- and-blue image of two hands forming a frame — much the same way that a film director sets up a shot.
“I had a picture in my head and did it. When I finished I was like, ‘Oh my God, I love this!’ ” she says. “Chalk art marries my two favorite things: doing art and being around lots of people.”
Not only has Griffyn participated in each chalk art festival since then, she’s gleaned awards for her work and she’s been invited to create chalk art at events nationwide.
“I’m addicted to chalk now,” she says. “I absolutely love it.”
Elana Ashanti Jefferson: 303-954-1957 or ejefferson@denverpost.com
Chalk one up for art
Two hundred artists will create masterpieces, modern art and original works on 67,000 square feet of sidewalk around Larimer Square today and Sunday as part of the Denver Chalk Art Festival. The actual festival location is Larimer Street between Speer Boulevard and 15th Street, and 14th Street between Market and Lawrence streets. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Details at .
