Press Release: Chalk It Up

09.17.04

San Antonio's artists hit the streets in a free, family-friendly event downtown on Houston Street

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Bring the entire family downtown on Saturday, October 2, 2004, 9am-5pm for Chalk It Up, a chalk-art festival celebrating San Antonio's creative spirit. Attendees can look on as more than fifty premier visual artists turn our city sidewalks into works of art. Throughout the day, the community is invited to help complete a super-sized street mural, and a variety of free family activities will be offered in the Kidzone—a space where imaginations soar! Held on Houston Street, between Soledad and S. Presa this convivial street scene will continue the city's efforts to help return the downtown area to a place where locals come to shop, dine, relax, and be entertained.

Chalk It Up will raise public awareness about contemporary art in a fun, casual environment while reinvigorating utilization of downtown San Antonio. This annual community event, presented by Artpace San Antonio, is an opportunity for locals and tourists alike to appreciate and participate in our city's creative resources. It is made possible through the support of Valero Energy Corp, Federal Realty, Bromley Communications, Classy Collection, Frost Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Hotel Valencia, Santikos Theatres, and Herwecks Art Supply. Media sponsors include Fox 29 and WB 35 television; 101.9 Soft Rock, Mix 96.1 fm, and W4OAI radio; and Clear Channel Outdoor.

"Chalk It Up extends Artpace's commitment to educating the public about contemporary art by offering yet another format to highlight San Antonio's talented artist community," states Kathryn Kanjo, Executive Director of Artpace San Antonio. "This event is really about community—that's why we're taking it to the streets, to give a public stage to our local artists and an appealing destination to our residents."

Artists
Spotlighted artists include some of San Antonio's most recognizable names: Alex de Leon, whose colorfully appealing images transcribe the both the pleasures and vices of contemporary life; Meg Langhorne known for her nature-based representations and installations unlock a sense of innocence and wonder; Joan Fabian whose dynamic mutations blossom into unlikely creatures; Katie Pell, who makes illustrative images that capture the foibles and dreams of everyday life; Joey Fauerso who places her unflappable characters in improbable settings and poses; Chuck Ramirez who celebrates the epic scale of everyday life as reflected in traditions of food and fellowship; artist Daniel Guerrero who deftly comments on Mexican morés with his pop culture remakes; Regis Shephard, whose playful graphic quality belies the power and politics of his compositions; Mark Hogensen whose skillful use of color and pattern keeps viewers negotiating their expectations of space, representation, and abstraction; and Vincent Valdez who updates notions of American painting and Latino identity in his bold representations. Each of these diverse artists will create monumental, 15 x 20 ft. original images in chalk, using the sidewalks as their canvas.

Chalk It Up unties many of the region's most respected artists, including six past Artpace residents. Jesse Amado, Artpace's first Texas resident in 1995, will be joined by fellow alums, David Zamora Casas, Alex de Leon, John Hernandez, Chuck Ramirez, Juan Ramos, Michael Velliquette, and Tony Villejo.

The artists, reflective of Artpace's focus on cutting-edge contemporary art, will challenge traditional notions of artistic approaches with both abstract and representational images. The challenge of the format, the limit of time, and the pressure of a viewing public, will undoubtedly lead these creators to formulate new and unexpected results in their work.

Sabra Booth, Margaret Craig, and Larry Graeber—three artists known for their organic abstractions--will use the yielding format of chalk pastels to translate their typically slow, layered works to the more immediate format of "sidewalk art."

Despite the two-dimensional format of the show, the exhibition is not limited to painters. Many of San Antonio's strong pool of sculptors will also be featured. Conceptually-fueled artists, such as David Jurist, Jack Robbins, and Gary Sweeney, will translate their artistic inquiries into sidewalk compositions.

Additionally, the influence of San Antonio's art schools will be reflected in the grouping. The list includes respected faculty (Dwayne Bohuslav and Cakky Brawley) to emerging talents (Richie Budd, Lawrence Jennings, and Sarah Moore).

While the mood of the works will vary by artist—from dynamic, representational images (Alex Rubio and Robert Tatum) to more reflective, quiet compositions (Janet Flohr and Terry Ybanez de Santiago)—what will stay the same is the media: CHALK!

MUSIC, FOOD, AND MORE
Chalk It Up will also feature music by local DJs, street-side shopping at more than twenty trend-setting boutiques from around the city, and delicious food presented by San Antonio's favorite restaurants in a one-day sidewalk café setting.

Chalk It Up Chairman J. Travis Capps says, "This is a highly visible and incredibly engaging way to connect San Antonio's talented artists with the community at large. Chalk It Up showcases the creative spirit of San Antonio and reminds us that downtown is for San Antonio residents, as well as our valued visitors."

Participating Artists
Jesse Amado, Dwayne Bohuslav, Sabra Booth, Cakky Brawley, Joanne Brigham, Debbie Brousard, Richie Budd, Mary Cantu, James Cobb, Margaret Craig, Melita Curphy, Jessica Decuir, Jeff Decuir, Alex de Leon, Ana de Portela, August di Stefano, Joan Fabian, Joey Fauerso, Heather Ferguson, Janet Flohr, Larry Graeber, Caitlin Gallardo, Daniel Guerrero, John Hernandez, Mark Hogensen, Lawrence Jennings, David Jurist, Deborah Keller-Rihn, Rhonda Kuhlman, Meg Langhorne, Myriam Lanau, Jane Lawrence, Larry Leissner, Karen Mahaffy, Vangie Mascorro, Sarah Moore, Charlie Morris, Diane Parker, Hannah Parker, Katie Pell, Chuck Ramirez, Juan Ramos, Kenneth Riddell, Angel Rincon, Jack Robbins, Alex Rubio, Zach Schultz, Regis Shephard, Gary Sweeney, Robert Tatum, Carlos Velasquez, Vincent Valdez, Michael Velliquette, Tony Villejo, Leslie Williams, Terry Ybanez de Santiago, David Zamora Casas

About Artpace
Artpace San Antonio serves as an advocate for contemporary art and as a catalyst for the creation of significant art projects. We seek to nurture emerging and established artists and to provide opportunities for inspiration, experimentation, and education. Our programs support the evolution of new ideas in contemporary art and cultivate diverse audiences while providing a forum for ongoing dialogue.

Artpace is located downtown at 445 North Main Avenue, between Savings and Martin streets, San Antonio, Texas. Free parking is available on the corner of Savings and N. Flores streets. Artpace is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 12-5 PM, Thursday, 12-8 PM, and by appointment. Admission is free.

445 North Main Avenue San Antonio TX 78205 t 210 212 4900 f 210 212 4990 www.artpace.org