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Thought to have originated in 16th century Italy, pavement art didn’t make it to the United States until the 1970s. In the 1980s, 3D chalk art made its debut thanks to an Italy-trained American artist, and the first chalk festivals were launched, turning this art form from a one-man show to an internationally-recognized art form.
Sidewalk chalk 3D street art has evolved over the years, becoming as much a street performance as a fine art – very different from painting on a canvas. Watch as artists create masterpieces from nothing more than a slab of concrete and a box of chalk. Most art is best seen in a gallery, but interactive 3D street art is best enjoyed while in process.
While on holiday at our vacation condos on Siesta Key, be sure to take a drive to Venice to witness the 3D Chalk Art Festival this fall, November 10-12.
About
When you visit the Sarasota Chalk Festival this fall, expect to see what has been called a “museum in motion.”
Hundreds of chalk artists from around the world gather in Sarasota County over four days in November to create extraordinary works of art, using the pavement as their canvases. Part fine-art, part performance, this street festival is one of the biggest and well-recognized pavement art events in the world. In 2017, more than 500 artists from both the U.S. and around the world participated in this event.
This year’s theme is “Garden of Wonder.” Artists are invited to create works that celebrate the natural world through the eyes of the vivid human imagination. Expect a variety of whimsical, garden-inspired works, both traditional and 3D, as well as a human maze. The event will include all kinds of street painting: 3D pavement art, traditional pavement art, as well as other events and attractions.
Try your hand at 3D chalk art on the sidewalk at the Young and Young at Heart interactive chalk area that’s open to the public. Both kids and adults can unleash their creativity on the pavement here, practicing the designs and techniques they’ve witnessed at the festival.
Live music performances will take place every day of the festival at the Pavement Music Festival, which will feature local and regional artists. Expect laid-back guitar music, as well as upbeat music you can move to. There will be a tent and seating area, as well as a dancefloor. Food and drinks, including beer and wine, will be served on site.
Pavement Art: What to Expect
The bar is high for today’s 3D sidewalk chalk art. At one time, chalk art might have been a simpler art form, with straightforward, two-dimensional drawings. With emergence of 3D chalk art street painting, the standards have changed.
A sidewalk chalk art festival is all about 3D street art illusions. Stand on the side of a cliff while an eagle soars over the canyon, swim with mermaids, avoid slipping on a banana peel, and narrowly escape the jaws of a Megalodon shark that’s surfaced through the broken pavement. If that’s not exciting art, I don’t know what is.
Not many Florida art festivals allow you to literally step right into a 3D sidewalk art optical illusion – an interactive experience like none other.
Where and When
The sidewalk chalk festival Chalk Festival takes place from November 10 to 12 at the Venice Airport Fairgrounds, about a half-hour drive from downtown Sarasota and Siesta Key.
If you prefer to see the works once they’re finished, be sure to come on the last day of festival, November 12. This is the day you’ll get to see completed works, and become part of the optical illusions artists have created.
Adult tickets cost about $25 per person, and kids 12 and under get in free.
The 3D chalk art festival is one of the many Florida art festivals taking place this fall in Sarasota County. This is a great time to come enjoy the sun, sand, and creativity of Siesta Key and surrounding area.
For more information on the incredible events in the area, check out our website. We can help you learn more about activities, events, and festivals near our Siesta Key monthly condo rentals.
