Hemingway once wrote, “The earth laughs in flowers.” That might be true…but a few weeks ago the earth was laughing with flowers, butterflies, rainbows, ice cream cones and a few basketballs…or at least that’s what our community chalk mural was filled with.
A few weeks ago I was the featured artist at Minot’s Arts in the Park series–from the arts council. And…in an effort to draw a bigger {maybe younger} crowd I decided to create an interactive sidewalk chalk mural. 1.) Because I love side walk chalk–and all chalk, really. 2.) Because I really like to think up ways to get the community involved in art. And…3.) Because I get nervous being “featured” at anything–I’d rather make up some activity and trick others into hanging out with me. Yes, I’m really that awkward and creepy.
I put this flyer out on the web just a few days before the event {it was a last minute decision.} And I was so impressed at how kind people in town were to share it. Minot really is hungry for fun things to do…so folks are eager to share and spread the word.
And I think it paid off. We did have a bigger and younger crowd. I started with this blank canvas…and if I did it all over again, I’d bring a broom to sweep up the goose poop and dirt before I started drawing. {I touched a lot of goose poop with my bare hands that night…} Before the concert I drew in the quote and outlined a few flowers. When folks arrived, I encouraged them to color in an outline or draw flowers–since that was the theme–but I don’t like to be bossy, so really there were no rules.
I was hoping we’d get more people who stopped in and contributed a flower or two–and some did–but I was just as content with the solid stream of kiddos and teens who stayed and colored with me the whole night. Some even stayed after the band had packed up and gone home.
In the end, I think it came out pretty well. Colorful, joyful, summery. If the earth laughs in flowers, I honestly believe sidewalks smile in chalk.
Amy
