By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
April 25, 2012

From simple to complex forms of art, you’ll see it all during the 5th Annual Chalk Walk at The Concourse, 200 S. Benton Blvd.

Artists, both novice and professionals, will consider the sidewalk their blank canvas, letting their imaginations run wild.

Northeast Arts KC will provide the chalk for the free, family-friendly event, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28, and Sunday, April 29. All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Other chalking opportunities will come in the form of a van painted in chalkboard paint, a life-sized fiber glass cow and several blackboards.

“It’s like performance art; you do it and then it goes away,” Northeast Arts KC Executive Director Rebecca Koop said of the chalk art. “This is not something we can archive. It’s real, raw energy and color on the concrete.”

In addition to chalk art, activities will include a DJ, local bands and other live entertainment. KC Kite Club will provide kite demonstrations and the North-East Public Library will read books to the youngsters. A number of other organizations will be on site and will include Northeast Arts KC, Kansas City Bicycle Club, Central Bank, among others.

Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB) will offer free health screenings to attendees, which will check one’s blood pressure, random blood sugar, total cholesterol, body mass index, diabetes risk assessment, cardiac risk assessment and more. Look for the tent with the red wall.

Koop said she encourages attendees to pack their own picnic but stressed food vendors will also be on site.

For more information, visit www.chalkwalk.org.