More than 25,000 Professionals, Amateurs and Guests Gather to Watch Main Street Maple Grove Transform Into a Canvas Filled With Chalk Creations
Spectators gathered on the street looking down is always a sure sign of a street art or chalk festival. That’s exactly what you’ll see at Chalkfest at Arbor Lakes, happening June 10th and 11th. Chalkfest at Arbor Lakes will feature 40 international and domestic, professional, and amateur artists to create spectacular street art. Hundreds of guests head down, enjoying art at their feet.
The artists hit the street and have two days to complete the art. Their chosen pieces are intricate, almost museum quality, as they work their magic with pastels and tempera (liquid chalk). This begs the question: what happens if it rains? Festival organizers are armed with tarps and Gorilla tape as soon as the skies cloud up. As soon as the rain stops, the art is uncovered and artists continue their work.
Chalkfest at Arbor Lakes began as a separate dream for two of its founders, Shawn McCann and Nancy Whitelaw. Shawn McCann, the festival’s creative director and co-founder, is a veteran street artist, muralist, and children’s book illustrator. “Being in the street art community for almost 20 years, I had a goal of bringing this art form to my community. It has been inspiring to watch the community embrace this art form and see emerging artists become the next generation in the street art world,” says McCann.
Main Street Maple Grove is transformed into a street art gallery open for public viewing. Don’t forget to snap a photo in one of the 3D art pieces! Talk about AMAZING selfies! There are also public chalking areas for spectators, so bring your creativity along!
They also created the Chalkfest Mural Tour to encourage public interest in street art. Twelve 12 original art pieces created by our Chalkfest artists are placed around Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove. This tour continues this year, starting on May 15 and going through July 17, with 16-8’x8’ murals around Arbor Lakes and Maple Grove.
If you’re looking for a fun weekend event, hop in the car and go to Chalkfest at Arbor Lakes on June 11 and 12. While the artists have large 10’x10’ and larger pieces to chalk, you can try your hand at chalking by purchasing some chalk (artist quality chalk is available at the information tent) and getting to work on one of the 5’x5’ blank spaces open for the public. Visit ChalkfestArborLakes.com to get more information and see the art created at prior festivals.
