By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
April 20, 2011

Forget an expensive canvas. For the Chalk Walk festival, all you need is a slab of sidewalk and a piece of chalk to create your masterpiece.

Now in its fourth year, Northeast Arts KC’s Chalk Walk is open to all ages and skill levels and will be held at Concourse Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 23-24.

“What we really wanted to do was create a festival in the neighborhood that inspires under-served communities to get creative and enhance the beauty of the Northeast,” said Wolfgang Bucher, board member of Northeast Arts KC and co-founder of Mosaic Brain. “For people in the greater Kansas City area, it draws them back into the area.”

For those unable to kneel on the ground or who want to save their knees, there are several options.

In addition to an accessibility ramp, chalk holder devices will be provided to attach to wheelchairs and walkers, Bucher said.

Once the device is attached, individuals can move their wheelchair or walker to create their chalk art, hands-free.

Although it’s not confirmed, Rebecca Koop of Northeast Arts KC said she’s hoping the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department will bring its life-size fiber glass cow for attendees to chalk. A van painted with chalkboard paint may also be available, she said.

“Most people are very respectful of the artwork and watching it in the process,” Koop said. “I think that’s the exciting part is seeing it made in front of your eyes.”

This year, Chalk Walk is asking artists to hide an egg in their artwork for an artsy Easter egg hunt.

Attendees will also have access to egg-shaped chalk.

In addition to chalk art, a host of activities will be available both days, including Oddball Kids, an art activity booth for children; Artplay; KC Kite Club,which will provide kite demonstrations, kite flying, and interactive kites; a health tent with free health screenings; Radio Disney; local blues band Fast Johnny Ricker; Daniel the Magician, among others.

Street performers from Vaudeville Entertainment will also perform, along with local rockabilly band Slick Brothers, and mariachi band Trio Aztlan.

To sponsor a square or to sign up to chalk a square, visit www.chalkwalk.org. Artists may also sign up the day of the festival to chalk a sidewalk square. The event is free of charge. All proceeds go toward Northeast Arts KC and Mosaic Brain, an organization that provides after-school, evening and summer art programs to at-risk youth and families in the Northeast.