Chalk the Walk
Each May, the streets of downtown Mount Vernon are covered with impressive portraits made of chalk. Hundreds of artists use more than half a ton of chalk to transform sidewalks into galleries.
The festival, called Chalk the Walk, is based on works by the Italian Madonnari: seventeenth century street artists whose most popular theme was La Madonna (“the Virgin Mary” in Italian). One modern twist on the art is community artistry. For ten dollars per plot, community members can illustrate a two by two foot portion of a monumental masterpiece, like the Barnum’s Animal Crackers Box portrait from the 2013 festival.
Artists with their own visions for spectacular chalk portraits can reserve eight by ten foot plots to compete for cash awards. Over one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars were awarded to the festival’s creative competitors in 2013.
Past portraits have featured Escher-like rainbow scenes, pop culture characters, reproductions of classic works, monumental landscapes, and more.
Help Chalk the Walk yourself this May! For more information, visit facebook.com/chalkthewalk.
Image courtesy of m_bartosch / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tagged: Linn County MN , Iowa Counties , Iowa Tourism , Four Score
