Press Release: Chalk It Up

08.29.05

Media Contact: Libby D. Tilley
t 210 212 4900 x122
f 210 212 4990
ltilley@artpace.org
www.artpace.org

Artpace takes art to the streets in a free, family event downtown on Houston Street

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Bring the entire family downtown on Saturday, September 24, 2005, 10am-5pm for Chalk It Up, a chalk-art festival celebrating San Antonio's creative spirit. Named “Best Arts and Cultural Project” by the Best of Downtown San Antonio Awards for its 2004 launch, this free, family-friendly event provides a community audience the opportunity to appreciate and participate in San Antonio's best creative resources.

Attendees can observe as more than forty premier visual artists turn our city sidewalks into colorful 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 continues 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 extends Artpace's commitment to educating the public about contemporary art and offers a highly visible 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.”

Sponsors
Presented by Artpace and title sponsor Valero Energy Corporation, Chalk It Up raises awareness about contemporary art in a fun, casual environment while bringing attention to downtown San Antonio. This annual community event is made possible through the support of Valero Corner Store, Federal Realty Investment Trust, HEB, the Mays Family Foundation, RBC Dain Rauscher, Baptist Healthcare System, Frost Bank, and Weston Centre. In-kind support provided by: Bromley Communications, Hotel Valencia, Santikos Theatres, and Herwecks Art Supply. Media sponsors include 101.9 Soft Rock, Mix 96.1 fm, and W4OAI radio; Fox 29 and WB 35 television; Clear Channel Outdoor; and the San Antonio Current.

Artists
The 2005 Showcase Artists include some of San Antonio's most recognizable names: Alex de Leon, whose colorfully appealing images transcribe both the pleasures and vices of contemporary life; 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; Vincent Valdez, who uses notions of American painting and Latino identity in his bold representations; Lloyd Walsh who updates classical and biblical iconography and infuses mythological narratives with humorous animals and creatures; Heidi McFall, who playfully contemporizes conventional notions of portraiture; Terry Ybañez whose colorful images reflect upon the culture and history of this community; Mark Schlesinger, whose studied abstractions stretch traditional notions of painting beyond the confines of canvas; and John Hernandez, whose pop-inspired graphic sensibility fuses the everyday with viral abstractions. Each of these diverse artists will create monumental, 15 x 20 ft. original images in chalk, using the sidewalks as their canvas.

In addition, Chalk It Up unites many of the region’s most respected artists, including several Artpace residents, for smaller-scale creations. Current Artpace resident artist Hills Snyder will be joined by past residents Cruz Ortiz, Chuck Ramirez, Juan Miguel Ramos, Tony Villejo, and Anne Wallace. The artists, reflective of Artpace’s focus on cutting-edge contemporary art, will respond to the challenges of the chalk-only format, the one-day time limit, and the pressure of a viewing public, through exciting two-dimensional works that feature their individual artistic approaches. While the mood of the works will vary by artist—from dynamic, representational images to more reflective, quiet compositions—what remains the same is the media: CHALK!

Community
Students also have the opportunity to demonstrate their talents as South Texas schools and community groups team up to produce their own chalk art. Chalk It Up features music by local DJs, street-side shopping at Houston Street storefronts, and plenty of festival food!

Special thanks to the Chalk It Up committee for their dedication to realizing this event. Chaired by Paula C. Mays, the committee includes: J. Travis Capps Jr., Courtney Duphorne, Tim Kiesling, Stephanie Krueger, Robert Leyva, Mona Lowe, Jackie Mallette, and Don Thomas.

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