Rain, Rain ... Went Away on Chalk Art Day

PUDDLES of color dotted the sidewalks for awhile on September 19, when die hard Chalk Art Festival fans gathered in downtown Forest Grove for a day of fun. Registrations started at 9 a.m. and Joe Mishkin, the balloon guy, was there not long after to lighten up the day with crazy, colorful balloon hats or wings or rocket packs. Whatever those in line wanted! Myself, I got a silly hat. (Click on the link to Joe on his name above.) And here's a video below of one of his hat contraptions in the making.
Dozens of sidewalk squares were sold and pop-up tent shelters covered artists, keeping their work dry. Featured artists, and amateurs galore, produced lots of great art.
Here is work by Amanda Houston above; a wonderful countryside scene. She worked throughout the rain showers and got done quickly. Amazing!
Thank you to all our participants and volunteers. Come back soon for more photos.

Can Chalk Art Get Any Closer?

CAN you say "tomorrow"? Tonight at the gallery - September 19 - Roylene Read and Phil Thias and their Forest Grove High School crew were getting things ready for tomorrow morning.
Folks will be showing up beginning at 9 a.m. The streets must be closed off, however, and the stage set up for Big Mama Gayle and Her Sugar Daddies and the other musicians.
Joe Mishkin will make an appearance and develop outrageous balloon hats for those who stand in line and are patient. Each hat is a one-of-a-kind production and well worth the wait.
Thanks to Valley Art's helpers who swept the sidewalks. And thanks to the students who unpacked chalk, marked squares that were not numbered and lifted and toted. You are wonderful - all of you.
Chalk Art participation is $10, non-members; $7, members. You get a palette of colorful chalk and a square of sidewalk.
See you there!

Chalk Art Festival is Coming!

TIME once again for everyone's favorite summer day - the day of the annual Valley Art Chalk Art Festival in downtown Forest Grove.
This year it falls on September 20 and there is new sidewalk to be had. The city has been busy putting in new sidewalks and thanks to Roylene Read, chairwoman, for coordinating things, there are bronze markers set in the sidewalks (by the workers) for Chalk Art. Now there are many more primo squares - nice, smooth, clean sidewalk.
A square and a large palette of colorful, rich pastel chalk is $10, or $7 for Valley Art members. On September 20 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. families and individuals will bring their drawings, knee pads, brushes, rags, spray bottles of water (to set the chalk colors, if they wish) and hand wipes and begin the work of making great sidewalk art.
This year there will again be live music, vendors, Joe Mishkin - the Balloon Guy and Penny's Puppets. Admission is free if you just want to watch and enjoy the balloons Joe makes for free (Valley Art pays him) and come see Penny's Puppets, too!
Valley Art Gallery is at 2022 Main St. in Forest Grove. Come by and check us out. Registration for Chalk Art begins at 9 a.m., but there is a special pre-registration this year on Wednesday, Sept. 17, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the gallery. Don't miss out on all the fun!