Jumpstart’s mission is to work toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. To this end, Jumpstart trains and supports college students to serve as part-time Corps members, working individually with young children to build skills crucial to school success. Jumpstart focuses on three program areas: building school success for young children by fostering their early language, literacy, social and initiative skills; encouraging strong family involvement to help families support children’s learning; and training college students to be future teachers and leaders in early childhood education. Jumpstart serves young children in more than 60 communities nationwide.

For more information, please look at Jumpstart-Kansas City’s website:

www.umkc.edu/cad/jumpstart/about.shtml

THANK YOU JUMPSTART VOLUNTEERS!!!!!! SEE YOU, SEPTEMBER 8TH AND 9TH!!!

Sponsor: Crown Center, Artist: James Clark

Sponsor: Francis Family Foundation, Artist: Kathy Ayers

Sponsor: NTDF, Artist: Alexandra Cluck

Sponsor: GreenWave Technology, Artist: Amy Desitter

Another successful festival! Thank you to all sponsors, artists and volunteers!

               Fourth Annual Kansas City ‘Chalk and Walk Festival’ Kicks off at Museum Before Event

The fourth annual Kansas City Chalk and Walk Festival will kick off on the south lawn of The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art on Sat., June 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Two local artists will lead a chalk painting demonstration to inspire the creativity that will blossom during the actual festival two weeks later. Children and families will be encouraged to create their own chalk art. This is the first time the Museum has partnered with this family-friendly festival.

“The Museum is very proud to be a part of this delightful activity, which is a precursor to the actual festival on June 18 and 19,” said Margi Conrads, Samuel Sosland Senior Curator of American Art and interim Education Director. “This is a wonderful opportunity for children to work side by side with Kansas City artists and participate in the creative process.”

KC Chalk and Walkhas engaged two local artists, Maria Ismert and Adrian Halpern, to lead a chalk- painting demonstration on a paved area near The Thinker on the Museum’s south lawn. Additional squares will be marked off nearby so children and families visiting the Museum may create their own chalk art. One of the artists will provide advice and guidance to the children and families, and one will demonstrate.

“Visitors can watch the demonstration and get helpful tips from an artist as they create their own unique work on the pavement,” said Conrads. “It’s going to be an exciting event.”

Maria Ismert was born and raised in Kansas City and began to channel her artistic energy at a young age. She studied plein-air and genre pastel painting while living in Chile. Ismert is currently a new resident artist at the Arts Incubator in the Crossroads. Adrian Halpern is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art and has curated and participated in exhibitions in Baltimore, Washington D.C., New York City, Chicago and Kansas City.

Kansas City Chalk and Walk Festival will be held at Crown Center on Saturday, June 18 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a hands-on art activity courtesy of the Nelson-Atkins from Noon to 5 p.m. on both days. As a sponsoring organization, the Museum will submit a design inspired by the Nelson-Atkins collection. That design will be implemented during the festival.

Don’t miss the opportunity to become a chalk artist at the premier chalk painting festival in Kansas City. 

We have had  an immense response from old and many new chalk artists. 

Come and join us, June 18 and 19 at Crown Center Square!

Returning partners: Mattie Rhiodes Art Center, Parisole Arts Foundation, Jumpstart Kansas City.

Come and enjoy their “make and take” ideas, pick up their brochures and welcome them to the festival!

Under the canopy, second level, Crown Center Square.

Father’s Day Weekend, Saturday, June 18, 11:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday, June 19, 11:00am to 6:00pm

Check back to our News and Media page often for updates and exciting releases about the 2011 festival!