Parkersburg Art Center’s ‘Chalk the Block’ offers pathways to creativity
“Chalk the Block,” a part of the Parkersburg Art Center’s ArtOberfest celebration, will be held Oct. 15 in the 700 and 800 blocks of Market Street in downtown Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)
“Chalk the Block,” a part of the Parkersburg Art Center’s ArtOberfest celebration, will be held Oct. 15 in the 700 and 800 blocks of Market Street in downtown Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)
“Chalk the Block,” a part of the Parkersburg Art Center’s ArtOberfest celebration, will be held Oct. 15 in the 700 and 800 blocks of Market Street in downtown Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)
“Chalk the Block,” a part of the Parkersburg Art Center’s ArtOberfest celebration, will be held Oct. 15 in the 700 and 800 blocks of Market Street in downtown Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)
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PARKERSBURG -- The Parkersburg Art Center is asking teen and adult artists to join them for "Chalk the Block" on Saturday, Oct. 15, as part of the annual ArtOberfest celebration.
To participate in "Chalk the Block," artists need to reserve a space and set of chalk pastels by completing the online registration at https://tinyurl.com/2s437j5w.
The first 24 artists to register will receive a 48-color set of chalk pastels to use. Registration will remain open through Oct. 12.
The "canvas" will be a square of sidewalk roughly 4 feet by 4 feet or 6 feet by 6 feet on the sidewalk along Market Street between Eighth and Ninth streets. The size of the work is the artist's choice.
The Art Center and the Chalk the Block event sponsor, Artsbridge, will provide the chalk, and artists will provide other supplies (stool, water, rags, brushes, tape measures, etc).
This year the festivities will also include sandwiches from Maka Mia Pizza, water, soda and music by one of a local DJ. ArtBeat Studio will be set up on the street offering a community painting project for all to enjoy and there will be an open area for artists of all ages and abilities to draw without being registered participants.
Artists can start work as early as 1 p.m. on Oct. 15, but all work should be finished by 5 p.m. that day. Chalk the Block and ArtOberfest attendees will be encouraged to walk the Chalked Block and vote for the chalk art pieces that speak to them.
People's Choice Awards will be cash prizes offered in adult and teen categories. There will be first and second places in each. Prize packages will be awarded on Oct. 19.
In the event of inclement weather, Chalk the Block will be moved to another date.
Directly following Chalk The Block, ArtOberfest will open from 6-10 p.m. on the 700 block of Market Street. During that event, artists will fill the street with unique and hand-crafted items for shoppers. Entertainment for the evening will include performances by OYO, Cutler Station, and Ryann Renae. Attendees will be able to enjoy food and drink from WineDown on Market, Crystal Cafe, The Bodega and Parkersburg Brewing Company.
The art center and the PAC713 Market gift shop will also be open all evening.
Both Chalk the Block and ArtOberfest are free, but donations will be accepted and all proceeds support the art center's free Saturday winter programs called Arty Parties, scholarships for other youth art classes and the establishment of a senior art studio.
If it rains, ArtOberfest will be held indoors at the art center at Eighth and Market streets.
For more information about this event or other artful activities at the Parkersburg Art Center visit the website www.parkersburgartcenter.org or stop into the gallery at 725 Market St. in downtown Parkersburg. The art center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday.