Local artists to chalk Downtown Willoughby during WAC’s Chalkfest - The News-Herald
The Willoughby Arts Collaborative’s fifth annual Chalkfest will soon take place in Downtown Willoughby.
The event is scheduled to take place on Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be part of Last Stop Willoughby, hosted by the Heart of Willoughby nonprofit organization. The festival name refers to a “Twilight Zone” television show episode that revolves around an idyllic town called Willoughby.
In 2008, Heart of Willoughby added a parade to the day’s festivities. Since, it has become a tradition for Willoughby families to enjoy the bands, floats, civic groups, scout troops and more who march along Euclid Avenue.
As part of the Last Stop Willoughby parade, WAC will be featuring two stilt walkers, according to Cindy Ginsburg, Chalkfest chairperson.
Additionally, this year’s Chalkfest will feature David Zinn, an internationally known chalk artist from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Zinn has created original artworks that have appeared on the sidewalks of Michigan, subway platforms in Manhattan, village squares in Sweden and street corners in Taiwan.
Zinn will host a workshop at Chalkfest from 3:30 to 5 p.m. next to the Masonic Temple on 40 Public Square in Willoughby. The cost of the workshop will be $10 and can be paid in advance by visiting the Willoughby Arts Collaborative website, willoughbyartscollaborative.org, or the day of the event.
Spectators will also be able to watch local artists as they chalk Downtown Willoughby buildings and sidewalks.
“Local artists, many who are students or graduates from the Cleveland Institute of Art, will be creating original chalk art on the side of buildings or on a sidewalk,” Ginsburg said. “The participants will be competing for first, second and third place, and a People’s Choice Award. Jurors will decide the winners with prize money being awarded.”
With this year’s theme being line and color, two of the fundamental elements of art, the judging criteria will be composition, use of color, originality and execution.
“The first-place winner will be offered the opportunity to return for the sixth annual Chalkfest as a featured Chalkfest artist with a stipend,” Ginsburg said.
Interested artists may visit WAC’s website to register. There will be no registration the day of Chalkfest. Children 15 years and under may participate for first, second and third place.
Chalkfest found success in 2021, its inaugural year and WAC has since brought it back in conjunction with Last Stop Willoughby.
In previous years, roughly seven or eight artists chalked throughout downtown on select buildings. Children have also had the opportunity to chalk on the sidewalk in front of the Willoughby Public Library.
Those interested in volunteering on the day of the event may send an email to artscollaborativewilloughby@gmail.com.