Artists Announced for Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival on November 2nd at the Sahuarita Lake Park

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance invites the public to enjoy the inaugural Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival – with artists and community members bringing the pavement to life with colorful chalk murals – at the Sahuarita Lake Park, Nov. 2, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 
(SAHUARITA, Ariz.) - The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and the Town of Sahuarita will partner to present the inaugural Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival on Saturday, November 2, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sahuarita Lake Park. The festival will host eight professional chalk artists creating six-foot visually stunning murals in a matter of hours and inspire community members to grab a piece of chalk and participate in the creativity with a free KidsZone, Emerging Artist showcase and Community Participation Murals.
 
The Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival is a free, family-friendly event, where visitors can watch in awe as local artists transform pavement into magnificent works of art. The featured artists will focus the designs of their six-foot murals on one of three themes: Air and Space; Sahuarita Themed Animals; and Local Landmarks and Culture. The public is invited to watch artists as they create their momentary masterpieces over the course of just five hours. The eight artists will travel to Sahuarita from across Arizona to create their chalk art murals, including:
 

• Wesley Fawcett Creigh (Woodpecker) - Tucson, AZ
• Eli Farias (Astronaut in Space) - Phoenix, AZ
• Ignacio Garcia (Cicada) - Tucson, AZ
• Judith Arnaud Gary (Quail) - Tucson, AZ
• Victor Navarro Art (Folklorico Dancers) - Tucson, AZ
• Annmarie Perry (Solar System) - Surprise, AZ
• Rather Be Chalking (Fish in Lake) - Youngtown, AZ
• Marissa Salazar (Bobcat) - Phoenix, AZ

 
This creative community event offers the public to get a rare glimpse into the way art is created throughout each stage of progress. Attendees are encouraged to interact and speak with the artists during the event and are invited to take photos and track progress as the murals develop into creative masterpieces.
 
“Chalk Art is a great way to see the artistic process in action” says Matt Rolland, SAACA Director of Programs. “In just a few hours, artists make incredible pieces of art that are meant to be temporary, using a medium – chalk - that just about everyone is familiar with.”
 
Attendees interested in creating their own works of art can visit the Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival KidsZone or sign up to participate in the Emerging Artists & Community Participation Murals showcase. The KidsZone is a space where imaginations soar, and children can create their own original masterpieces of chalk art under the guidance of artist facilitators.
 
Community members and emerging artists who wish to participate in the mural-making process can reserve a dedicated painting space at the festival to work on a unique 3' x 3' square mural piece. At 2:30 PM, awards will be handed out by a panel of judges for the following categories:
 

• $100 - Best Town of Sahuarita Inspired Mural
• $100 - Best Family or Group Created Mural
• $100 - Judges Choice Emerging Artist

 
“We are pleased to partner with SAACA on several new signature events, including the Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival, to celebrate the Town of Sahuarita’s 25th anniversary celebration”, said Nanette Smejkal, Sahuarita Parks and Recreation Director.  The partnership also includes new public art murals to be painted in town parks during October – November 2019 and Sabrosita Sahuarita, a feature culinary festival that was held in May 2019.
                                              
Sahuarita Chalk Art Festival
When: Saturday, November 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Sahuarita Lake Park, 15466 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd, 85629
Cost: Free Admission
Online: https://www.saaca.org/sahuaritachalkart.html
Phone: (520) 797-3959
 
NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available
 
About the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the Arts.  SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences.  SAACA (formerly the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council) was created to develop cultivated programming that spotlights local creatives and celebrates unique culture, while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work.  To date, SAACA has created over 200,000 arts-driven experiences, from innovative community festivals and cultural celebrations to creative sector development, and accessible arts enrichment programs. SAACA continues to grow in footprint and in impact while working to pursue the mission of strengthening the bonds between people, place and purpose.

Town of Sahuarita
The Town of Sahuarita is the 6th youngest incorporated town in the State of Arizona, and will celebrate its 25th birthday on September 20, 2019. Sahuarita is a regional partner with other municipalities, educational institutions, non-profits, and business leaders in Southern Arizona, and recognizes the importance of arts and culture in creating and sustaining well-rounded communities. For more information on the public art partnership between the Town of Sahuarita and SAACA, please visit www.sahuaritaaz.gov/parks.