Not in my town!!!
“Not in my town”
“Not in my town” is my way of protesting the removal of artwork from Burns Square before the agreed period of time. No rules were broken, it is being removed for the simple reason that some don’t like it. Sarasota claims to be a leader in the arts but has a prejudiced attitude when it comes to the murals that are created during the Chalk Festival.
Featured: Entes y Pesimo are artists from Peru and “Snowflake” is one of the elephants created by Kumpa Tawornprom.
“Going Vertical” was introduced during the 2011 Chalk Festival. Up until that time the artist used the streets as their canvas. Going Vertical expanded the festival and attracted a new and diverse crowd of artists. It is not random tagging of buildings, it is a partnership between the Festival, the artists and business owners. Walls are donated by the owner and the artist has 6 weeks to complete their mural. In a perfect world the artwork would stay for a year.
“Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them”
~Robert Jarvik~
This was the first year I was involved in the festival. I got to know a little bit about the driving force behind it. Denise Kowal is a woman with a vision. She see’s what she wants and goes after it. Intellegent, energetic, and passionate are among the many qualities she possesses. Not many people have the ability to introduce an idea and in 5 years develop it into an international festival. Does this happen without stepping on toes? I think not. I say with ease that Denise is fully aware of the odds against her as she continues her mission to inject Sarasota with a new art form, Going Vertical. It should also come as no surprise… where last year’s Fast Life ended, this years Entes y Pesimo (among others) continues.
So I say to Denise… keep pushing those boundaries (I know you will). It would be a sad day when constant bickering and petty complaints would cause this event to become generic and unexciting.
What has everyone in an uproar?
After reading the articles, I had to see for myself just how bad Burns Square must look. The photo below is showing the remnants of artwork. In my opinion I really saw nothing that would cause me to get so upset I had to head to city hall. I was disgusted by a woman letting her little poodle poop on the sidewalk as I walked by (sorry, but it was right there… on the sidewalk) than by the artwork on the street or the murals. The elephants… well, maybe a Tube Dude riding atop one of them might make everyone just a little happier! I’ve said it before… I’m just a simple girl. I think if you stroll through Burn’s Square and feel like you’re in the ghetto, you might need to get out a little more.
So, here is what the media is saying…
“Some Burns Square business owners questioning Chalk Festival decisions”: A group of business owners from the Square plan to meet with Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin this week. They are upset that the street still has remnants of the artwork on it…
and some props from the Festival, like two model elephants, still remain standing in the neighborhood…
“It just doesn’t seem that anyone knows what to do afterwards,” said Sharon Katzman, the owner of IOptics. “I think this has been a problem every year, that we are left to deal with the after effects of thousands of people in our little neighborhood.”
The after effects of thousands of people (outsiders) in our little neighborhood? I’m thinking that maybe these angry business owners might put the energy used to complain into something more productive like some creative marketing strategy. For a little over a week there are a ton of potential new customers in the area and they complain? Maybe I’m missing something.
“Business Owners” Murals make Burns Square look like a ghetto”: The neighborhood looks terrible and it is our prime season The holidays are here…and Burns Square looks like the ghetto,” Swor wrote.”I thought graffiti was against the law? Why is it OK in Burns Square?”
“… I think it is terrible, it cheapens our whole neighborhood. We are hearing tons of complaints,” Swor continued.”People are shocked and disgusted with it. I am angry, I spend thousands of dollars on maintenance, paint, landscaping, proper signage, etc…Yes, there are a few beautiful murals, but there are many that need to go! The city has allowed Denise Kowal to completely destroy the look of our neighborhood—the buildings, the streets, her props and crap everywhere.” ~LeeAnne Swor
Birth begins unbiased…
all the other stuff is pretty much learned. We talk about tolerance and acceptance but do we practice it? Are we willing to see the world through someone elses eyes or do we put the blinders on as we head out the door in the morning? Are we too busy yelling that we drown out the voice of our fellow human beings?
For 10 days Sarasota was home to artists from how many countries? Will their style please everyone? And if it doesn’t, does that mean we should remove it. Innovators in street art performed before our eyes and we complain that the street has some artwork on it.
I wonder how the kid who painted this feels now? I never saw him without his mask on but my guess is he may have been somewhere around 20 years-old. He spent all that time just to have painted over because someone doesn’t like it. Way to go SRQ.
To: 2012 Chalk Festival volunteers
As Circus City comes to an end
Monday night, November 5: I sit at my computer going through video clips and images from the last month, my mind is numb and one image looks like the next. I swallow and I feel a lump in the back of my throat… hinting at a cold sure to follow. I’m too tired to will it away or fight it.
Tuesday morning I wake up. As I take a swig from the Dayquil bottle, a SRV tune plays over and over in my mind. “The sky is crying”. The weather has been fair all week and the very last day… rain? I don the familiar OJ volunteer shirt one last time.
The un-sung heroes
This year was my first “behind the scenes” look at the Sarasota Chalk Festival. Sunday’s in October were reserved for those who would “get their hands dirty”. It was a prop day and we painted circus posters, wrapped people in packing tape and took on any other task that needed to be done.
Friday nights were were set aside for informal meet and greets where we would all cram into Denise’ home, chat, nibble and laugh.
None of this prepared me for the first day of the festival when I reported to volunteer HQ. The hub… the go to place for everything festival related.
I think back to a group of young wide-eyed volunteers reporting for duty. As they were waiting to get their official orange volunteer shirt, I saw it on their faces. Eager to please… but not quite sure of what to expect. These young people could be doing anything but they were here volunteering their time. Admirable.
That is the reason for this video. While I’m was working on it, I had one regret. I didn’t get every volunteer in the video. There will be a thousand photos of the festival, the art and the artists. But you guys are the un-sung heroes of the whole thing. I make a vow to do better next year.
I was part of the photography team headed by David Taylor. There wasn’t a lot of time to get to know each other but we got to meet. I’m sure we will run into each other out there shooting and our week at the festival has given us a common bond. Each one of you have your own style and it was a pleasure watching you all in action.
Thank you Cold Sun Productions:
I can’t say I was stalking you but I was watching how you work all week. This particular day you were on top of the scaffolding overlooking Kurt Wenner’s piece and that was where I wanted to be. As you grabbed my tri-pod and camera helping me over the top of the scaffolding, I jokingly mentioned that I could handle my little handy cam and wrapped it around my wrist. As we chatted all I wanted to do was get a hold of your video camera and see for myself the difference between shooting on my budget and yours. It was probably nothing to you but it was like a revelation to me when you said how you remembered shooting a whole video with a hanycam. That little statement gives me hope. Till then, I will happily plug along on what God has given me. By the way… YOUR WORK IS AWESOME!!!
From Cold Sun Productions…
The artwork on buildings will be in progress after the festival and the art on the street has been allowed to fade away over the next month. But until next year the crowds, the artists, and the festival atmosphere are all gone.
To be a part of the Chalk Festival experience go to the Sarasota Chalk Festival website and sign up.
“Going Vertical”
It’s been around forever
but is it acceptable in Sarasota???
If Denise Kowal gets her way (some say, she ALWAYS does) she’ll have artists climbing the walls around town and leaving behind… Art?
Last years festival gave us a taste of “Going Vertical”
Not that recording history or communicating by drawing on a wall is new… it’s just hasn’t been established as an artform in SRQ.
Controversy surrounded almost every aspect of going vertical which was introduced via the Sarasota Chalk Festival in 2011. From MTO’s Fast Life mural to the Palm Avenue (lipstick on a pig) parking garage. Some were thrilled with the fare and some turned up their noses.
As this years festival is about to begin, did last years controversy scare Kowal into conforming to the way we do art here? Or will she continue in her vision where art will be out there for everyone to see? No entrance fees, no gallery.
“Round two” & going vertical
In a recent Ticket Sarasota article, Denise promotes this years “Going Vertical” launch party while giving her opinion on the Sarasota art scene…
“Sarasota is not used to being challenged much, and we’re a little white-bred when it comes to art,” Kowal says. “We’re never going to grow as a community if we don’t allow other processes to happen. That’s how children grow. They need to be challenged with things that make them think. Stereotypes brew when you’re not given the opportunity to look at different perspectives.”
I find her white-bred reference priceless (but I have thick skin) and it could be the final blow suffered by those who want to dictate what art is worthy of a place in our community.
From the clowns in 2005 up to present day “Surrender”, our history proves there are those who judge what is and isn’t art and would only allow art that is proper and safe. No grey matter needed. When John Henry curated this years Season of Sculpture he stated that fewer artists are making personal statements. “We’re seeing fewer pieces that make any statement — period”. I agree.
The 2012 launch “party
This years festival, Circus City, USA (let the controversy begin) is about to get under way and Sarasota Architectural Salvage was the perfect venue for the “Going Vertical” launch party.
The rain was no deterrent and Dr Robin was keeping watch outside as guests arrived. Greeted by a human statue high atop a specially crafted pedestal. Four statues (Denise Kowal, Jill Kelly, Elisa Graber, Alexis Clarke) in all, each one dressed in attire compliments of Cash Delight and Tortoise & Pearl. A donation dropped into a pedestal was all it took to get any movement from the lovely ladies.
Chalk boards were set up and local artists Lori Loveberry George and Truman Adams were chalking away. They weren’t the only ones allowed to play. More boards were set for those in attendance who would wish to leave their mark during this festive evening.
Music and conversation filled the air as people nibbled their way through the rooms. Support for the festival was clear by those in attendance as more walls were donated for murals and more artists being sponsored. A success!
Congratulation to the Sarasota Chalk Festival. It appears Denise will continue to pave the way towards tolerance, acceptance and in her endeavor to make art available to all.
Sarasota Chalk Festival
Excitement and inspiration mingled with the unexpected
A potent blend that fills the air around Burn’s Court each year during the Sarasota Chalk Festival. If you get a real good dose while viewing the amazing art, you may end up volunteering (which is what happened to me). At this point you have purchased a ticket on board the crazy train so be ready for anything. As a volunteer be ready to…
Get your hands dirty
I was a bit apprehensive as I showed up on our first “Get your hands dirty” Sunday. Yes, I want to help but I’m a photographer, not an artist. As I watched Beverly wrapping packing tape around the willowy Emer, I waited for my assignment. Visions of the Jet Puff marshmallow filled my mind as I thought of my over 50 body being wrapped in packing tape. Oh PLEASE, don’t ask me to get wrapped!
Somewhat relieved, I found myself agreeing to do a circus poster. As Denise showed me how to graph out the 6′ x 9′ canvas, I was secretly imagining how bad it was going to turn out. Never painting anything on canvas I kept thinking about how these posters will be in full view at the festival. I wasn’t sure my pride could handle seeing someone snicker as they viewed my amature art. I fought the urge to run as I took a few laps around the canvas trying to decide just where to begin. Five little words became my mantra… “you can’t mess it up”. That’s what Denise told me as she walked away. I believed her.
And so it is. She just has a way about her. She smiles her smile and makes you believe that pulling the moon out of the sky is possible. That’s what leaders do.
Get Involved
The festival is put together by an energetic group of volunteers and there is so much to do to bring the vision to life. I guarantee there is a job for you to do and you will be made to feel welcome and appreciated.
The Sarasota Chalk Festival
It will be here before you know it.
artwork used in the poster is from the 2011 festival by: Eduardo Relero
Each Friday the volunteers get together to get to know each other and discuss whatever needs discussing. This particular Friday I find myself with no desire to go out in traffic again. So as 5:00 rolled around, I pushed myself away from the computer and walked to the kitchen. No bolt of lightning, no get-up-and-go. I got some coffee and sat back down to check my email. After ignoring most of the messages and dumping my spam I was still wrestling with the commitment I have made to support the festival and my lack of motivation. I finally pushed through the funk and headed to the gathering.
I think when you push through an obstacle (no matter how small) you just feel better about yourself, and I did. I walked away feeling more excitement about the upcoming event (if that is possible)! I also walked away feeling proud that I am able to play a small part in this thing.
What has me excited? Except for those who suffer from Coulrophobia, who doesn’t get excited when the circus comes to town?
As this years festival (Circus City, USA)takes shape, life-size elephants are being sculpted and inspired by artist Mark Jenkins, we are getting together tomorrow to wrap ourselves in packing tape. The best local and international artists will be here along with Kurt Wenner who will be working on a premier piece of artwork for this years festival.
As Denise explained her reason why she wants to keep the festival free, I am happy to be a part of the volunteer staff. Knowing there are many people who may never be able to view artwork at this level if there were a fee attached, she doesn’t want to ask an entry fee. This way the art is seen and appreciated by all. It doesn’t matter if you have $100,000 in the bank or $1 in your wallet. The festival is for the entire community.
Not only is it free to attend, it’s free to participate. Travel, lodging, food, supplies. It’s covered.
This is the Sarasota Chalk Festivals 5th year. Still in its infancy really but the success of the earlier years speaks volumes. The Sarasota Chalk Festival has become an international event. But it wont happen without support. The festival needs volunteers, sponsors and donations.
Yes, I walked out of last nights meeting feeling pretty good. I even took some tickets for the fundraiser to sell and I am not a salesperson.
2012 Sarasota Chalk Festival
Kowal and company are gearing up for the 5th annual Sarasota Chalk Festival and this year’s event will be true to form in keeping with the tradition of excellence we’ve come to expect.
“How can this be” you say? My reply, “you must not know Denise”! She sees it in her mind, then rallies her talented band of cohorts into making it happen. Her unstoppable, can do attitude is contagious and inspiring.
Which bring’s me to my next point.
What’s your talent?
Visit the Sarasota Chalk Festival website and fill out an application to volunteer.
More on the Sarasota Chalk Festival:
Sarasota Chalk Festival ~2011~
This is the fourth year Burn’s Square has been transformed
from a quaint local neighborhood
into an international, open air, art gallery.
Thanks to Denise Kowal’s vision, the Sarasota Chalk Festival has grown from a handful of artists into an international event.
“Pavement Art Through the Ages” honors the Grazie di Curtatone and highlights street paintings roots from the 16th century up to todays contemporary movements.
Street painting may be new to Sarasota but it has a rich history in Europe. The Italian Madonnari were traveling artists who made a living by reproducing religious images on the streets. After WW II the artists and the art had all but disappeared. In an effort to keep the tradition alive, the last known artists (the oldest being in his 90′s) were invited to take part in The Grazie di Curtatone, in Mantua, Italy in 1973.
Back here in Sarasota, after blessing the chalk, the Italian Madonnari Competition will start on Friday at 6PM. Artists will paint for 24 hours and complete their work by Saturday 6PM. Along with the Italian Madonnari competition, there will be artists paining the walls of local businesses. Will “going vertical” be a new trend in SRQ? Opera. cellograff, 3-D, little chalkers, students, streets full of local and international artists performing their craft for you.
The Sarasota Chalk Festival is organized by Avenuda de Colores. A 501C3 organization. The event is free to participate, free to attend. The festival is an effort by dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors. It is an event that will leave you wanting more.
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