Call for Artists

My experience at the KC Chalk & Walk 2009: Lotti I wanted to share what a good time we had during the chalk and walk event. In spite of a little rain we had good working conditions and many fun, friendly neighbors. Many walkers were complimentary; some asked about the sponsorship for the event so it was nice to be an ambassador for the event and to share the need for area students to continue with an art program of some kind at their schools. This year, I did a portrait of my dog Sam. It’s funny; by the reaction of most folks, I think everyone in town has a dog like mine. The event was well planned with some breakfast coffee and snacks plus goody bags of take home items for the artists. It is a great way to volunteer some energy and time. Who can argue with helping area children to learn non-aggressive ways to express themselves?

~ Daniel R. Canchola

Hello! My name is Billy Peters and I wanted to write you to encourage your gift to the charities, artists, and communities involved with the Annual Kansas City Chalk and Walk. Your donation has exponential benefits. I am lucky enough to have been involved for the last two years with the Chalk and Walk event as an artist. I would consider myself a newcomer to the K.C. art scene and it is a great chance for me to showcase my work. There was an article in the Kansas City Star regarding the 2009 Kansas City Chalk and Walk and it featured some comments from me and a photo of my work. Great exposure! The people who get to walk around and watch the artists create their work get a first-hand experience of how large artwork is planned and created. The children can get inspired and draw in the Child Artist Area. Families get a chance to get out and have a truly unique experience of Kansas City. Above all this event is to raise money for those in need. Thanks.

~ Billy P.

The Kansas City Chalk and Walk Festival was a wonderful opportunity for local artist and designers to come together and just have fun while creating beautiful, temporary street art. As one of the chalk artists at the event, I benefited most from meeting other artists and patrons and making connections. Overall it was a very positive and enjoyable experience, and I look forward to attending next year!

~ Ruby Lindell

Throughout my life I have always loved to paint and draw and even received my minor in Art from Central Missouri State University. Unfortunately, art has also been a hobby that I’d been putting aside for quite some time up until I decided to apply as a “first-timer” chalk artist at this summer’s Kansas City Chalk and Walk Festival. After finally settling on drawing the main character from the popular children’s book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, I spent some time planning how I was going to enlarge my small drawing onto such a large space on the Crown Center sidewalk. I must admit I was a little nervous about accomplishing the colorful chalk drawing in just two days’ time.

From the moment I sat down and began working, my passion for art quickly came to life with every bright stroke of chalk I made on each brick in that 8×10 foot rectangle. The more I chalked, the more I felt at ease and in my element as an artist. The encouraging feedback I received from the people walking by all day long fueled the fire that had been stifled inside of me for quite some time. The excitement of my long weekend lingered in my mind long after I scrubbed the remainder of the chalk from my hands the next evening. My experience working with the KC Chalk & Walk Festival was wonderful.

The passion I have had in my life for art resurfaced thanks to the two long days I spent at Crown Center this summer. As an artist, one of the best feelings I’ve had is to see young faces admiring my artwork and being able to encourage their own passions as future artists in our world. I am so excited to spend another summer weekend working on a new chalk drawing in the upcoming festival. I truly hope this community event is something that keeps growing year after year so that more families can also grow closer by spending time together enjoying chalk drawings from KC’s local artists!

~ Tricia Arreguin Shepherd

Good Morning, Lotti!!

I just wanted to take a minute to let you know how much I enjoyed being a volunteer artist at the 2009 Kansas City Chalk ‘n Walk Festival. This was my first year participating and I had a blast getting hot and dirty on the bricks in front of Crown Center. My sponsor was the Kansas City Library which went perfectly with the mandala theme of my piece. When the librarians from the library came by to see my work they were extremely excited and really loved it. That was just the motivation we needed to get that piece finished thru all the heat and threats of rain. I am already anticipating next year’s festival. I think this will become a yearly tradition for me. Thanks so much for organizing everything…none of this would be possible without you, Lotti!!

~ Unknown