Colourful dragons, fanciful castles, little frogs on lily pads, whimsical flowers, birds in trees and many other little artistic creations in chalk filled the floor of Spirit Square Saturday.
Artist Al-Lisa McKay of Miss White Spider Arts said the 30 people participating in her chalk art workshop were so eager to get started they couldn’t wait for instructions from her so they all just started creating.
McKay lead by example showing the group how to blend colours and soften images using a spritz of water and softening the image by rubbing it with a rag. She demonstrated by creating a beautiful baby dragon and other images herself.
McKay invites people to sign up for the second chalk art workshop coming up this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon in the square.
The workshops are offered free of charge by the Williams Lake Downtown Business Improvement Area Association as inspiration for people to sign up for the city’s 2017 Chalk Arts Festival that will take place during the 4-Directions Festival on July 1, says BIA executive director Kate Lines.
Participation in the Chalk Arts Festival is free but pre-registration is required by June 20.
Each chalk artist will be assigned a four-foot-by-four-foot space in which to create their masterpiece somewhere in the downtown core that will be blocked off to traffic during the 4-Directions Festival.
The traffic-free zone will be in place from noon to 9 p.m. giving participants lots of time to complete their creations, Lines says.
Plots will be allocated to registered participants on a first-come-first-serve basis starting at noon on July 1.
Each participant will receive a 24-piece package of Reeves soft pastel chalk when they check in. Additional packages of chalk will be available to registrants for $15 a box.
All chalk artists must create exclusively with chalk, no exceptions, she notes.
Participants are also advised to bring their own water, knee pads, hats, sunscreen and “adoring supporters,” Lines said.
Application forms for the Chalk Arts Festival are available at the BIA office located at 327 Oliver Street at the corner of Oliver Street and Third Avenue (250-398-5717) or at The Realm of Toys located at 35A First Avenue South (250-392-7079).
To book a spot at the June 10 chalk art workshop that takes place in Spirit Square from 10 a.m. until noon call or email the BIA at info@downtownwilliamslake.com or 250-398-5717.
