Englewood Art Center Announces Sixth Annual ChalkFest

For the sixth year in a row, Englewood's ChalkFest will transform the Dearborn Street sidewalk into an oversized canvas for chalk-art masterpieces. Professional artist demonstrations include the creation of a trompe l'oeil -or visual illusion-work of art by Johan Bjurman, a noted classically trained painter. This day of discovery will also feature fun prizes and a people's choice award. The ChalkFest is free and sponsored by the Englewood Art Center, a division of Ringling College of Art and Design, and is presented by the Pioneer Days Committee as part of Englewood's popular Pioneer Days festival. The event is Saturday, August 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is at 8 a.m. For more information, contact www.ringling.edu/EAC or call 941-474-5548.

Samantha Parkinson, the director of the Englewood Art Center, encourages chalk art aficionados to visit the event link on EAC's Facebook page to indicate their attendance. "An advance head count will tell us how many supplies we'll need," she says, adding that registration will take place at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. "But I also encourage everyone to bring their own chalk and plenty of water to combat the dog days of summer." Parkinson adds that participants and spectators alike will have multiple opportunities to photograph Johan Bjurman in action. "He'll create a magnificent trompe l'oeil art work," she says. "When photographed, his artwork will look absolutely three-dimensional and real. He's a fabulous artist and he's not camera-shy. He's given his full permission to all the shutterbugs out there to capture him in action. We're thrilled!"

The event encourages artists of all levels to participate. Not the world's greatest artist? No problem.

"It's all about creative interaction," Parkinson says. "Families, kids, adults and some of the finest artists we know will get together and have a blast. Create your own masterpiece or enjoy the spectacle-it's fun either way. The ChalkFest is open to art-lovers of all ages-from the young to the young at heart."

The Englewood Art Center offers a variety of art classes during the summer months for children and adults. For more information or to register, visit www.ringling.edu/EAC or call 941-474-5548.

About the Englewood Art Center

The Englewood Art Center features exhibitions, classes, and special events. In addition to four galleries for exhibitions, the center houses two well-equipped 2D studio classrooms, a pottery studio, a digital media studio, and a lending library. Visit www.ringling.edu/EAC.

About Ringling College of Art and Design

For 85 years, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ten disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College's rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive, first-year program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes its students into tomorrow's creative leaders. Visit www.ringling.edu.