TUCSON, Ariz. - A unique "canvas" has opened in Tucson to offer established and emerging artists, students, kids and all ages of the public a place to create a collage of colorful artwork.



Chalk Art Festival Seeks Community Participation for Murals

Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and Park Place have partnered to present the community's inaugural Chalk Art Festival on Saturday, April 14 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A true community collaboration of the arts, SAACA and Park Place are seeking involvement from artists and attendees to help in the completion of murals during the event - free to attend and participate.

Artists who apply and are accepted will receive a paid honorarium for their work. The three application categories include: designing an original chalk art mural (eight by six feet) in the theme of their choice ($300 honorarium); helping administer a single-themed, public participation mural ($400 honorarium); and instructing youth in the collaborative Kidzone ($200 honorarium).

Participating artists will also be provided with chalk, tent shading, seat cushions and additional supplies as well as complimentary water, breakfast and lunch.

The public can join this free event through helping in the drawing and design of the community participation mural, developed with the help of students and event attendees. This progressive mural, based in a single theme, will grow to a super-sized street mural as the event unfolds.

The Kidzone will let children's imaginations to soar as ages 3 to 12 participate in their own original pieces of chalk art. The Kidzone will be managed by an artist instructor specialized in working with children.

The artistic space will stretch from former Borders location and Sears entryways to the front of the Old Navy store at Park Place, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd.

Also, during the event, attendees can find entertainment throughout the mall in music, painting demos and more. On Saturday, April 14, Eastern European music will play from 12 to 2 p.m.; jugglers, acrobats and stilt-walkers will perform from 2 to 4 p.m. and face painters will create designs from 4 to 6 p.m. On Sunday, April 15, enjoy live plein air demonstrations from 1 to 3 p.m. and folk singing from 3 to 5 p.m.

Possible Mural Themes

Air and Space
Law Enforcement
Animals
Botanicals
Southern Arizona Landscape and Wildlife
Science
Culture
Abstract Arts
*Original Theme Proposed by Artist

When: Saturday, April 14 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Park Place, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd., at north entrance courtyard between former Borders location to Old Navy
Cost: Free
Online: http://saaca.org/Chalk_Art_Festival.html
Artist Application: http://saaca.org/uploads/2012_Chalk_Art_Festival_Artist_Application.pdf
Phone: (520) 797-3959