Youth Challenge
In 2015, Denver Chalk Art Festival on Larimer Square will once again give area schools and youth groups the chance to compete for art supplies that will go to their respective school’s or Youth Group’s visual arts departments. This is truly a unique way to both show school spirit as well as fund school arts programs.
For additional information please email Mike Rieger: mike@larimerarts.org
RMCAD 2015 Call for Youth Challenge
Download the Youth Challenge registration form (PDF format)
The Event
Denver Chalk Art Festival is an award-winning chalk festival that transforms the expanse of asphalt along Larimer Square into a bright and colorful street museum. Over the course of two days, 200 professional, amateur, and student artists captivate audiences as they take to the pavement armed with vivid pastel chalks and spend hours on their hands and knees recreating major masterpieces. 200,000 festival attendees enjoy food and entertainment as they watch beautiful chalk pieces come to life.
The Tradition
The event follows street painting traditions that originated in 16th century Renaissance Italy when artists began transforming asphalt into canvas using chalk. The artists were called “madonnari,” after their customary practice of recreating chalk paintings of the Madonna. Historically, madonnari were known for their life of travel and freedom, making their living from coins received from passers-by. With World War II came many hardships, greatly reducing the number of these artists. The art form was not officially brought back to life until 1972 when the small town of Grazie di Curtatone in Italy started the first International Street Painting Competition. Today, artists worldwide are taking to the streets, bringing with them new ideas, techniques, and excitement for this ancient form of expression. Handmade French pastels have replaced the simple chalks previously used and the paintings have become complicated images of traditional master-style works, modern pieces, and surreal chalk creations.
The Challenge
The Youth Challenge will have 20 spots available for teams from local schools and youth groups to create their own works of art in the time-honored tradition of Italian street painting – with chalk as the medium and the pavement at the canvas.
Artist Workshops
Check back soon for dates and locations!
The Art
Students or schools choose their own project. Students may re-create an existing masterpiece by a famous artist, re-create an original image, create a new piece that has never been seen before, or portray an image representative of their school, neighborhood, city, class, etc. It is recommended that each group work from a smaller scale of the image and map out the image on the pavement prior to beginning the coloring process. The Denver Chalk Art Festival can provide street painting tips and procedures to each school, and our professional madonnari will host a workshop on the Friday evening prior to the event.
The Artists
In 2014, the event featured a record number of artists who created “paintings” throughout Larimer Square. Many of the artists had never worked in pastels before, with nearly all of the artists working on pavement for the first time ever. Even so, the pieces that were created were magnificent and we hope nearly all of the artists from 2014 will return in 2015. Check www.larimerarts.org for photos!
The Prizes
1st place ' $300 in art supplies for their school
2nd place ' $200 in art supplies for their school
3rd place ' $100 in art supplies for their school
The Details
If you, your youth group, art class, teacher or school is interested in applying for one of this year’s spots, complete the application form and send to the following:
Larimer Arts Association
Attn: Radhika Black
1430 Larimer St., Suite 200
Denver, CO 80202
If you have questions about art or technique
and to schedule your Visiting Artist Day:
Michael Rieger:
mike@larimerarts.org * 720-331-6402
If you have general event questions:
Michael Rieger:
mike@larimerarts.org * 720-331-6402
