Saumarez Park’s paths to be gallery for chalk art festival

The event, which is free, will be held between 9am and 3pm tomorrow and will see part of the path connecting the park’s car parks become a drawing board for artists young and old.

Organiser Ross Le Brun is providing between 20 and 30 boxes of chalk, each containing 160 pieces in 10 different colours.

‘There should be enough to go around, but it will depend on how many people turn up,’ he said.

He got the idea for the festival after being inspired by similar events in the United States.

‘It’s huge in the US and initially I just wanted my son to get into it.

‘When I pitched the idea for a bigger event to Agriculture, Countryside & Land Management Services they really liked it as the chalk will wash away when it rains, but I hope it will stay for a couple of weeks at least.’

Mr Le Brun encouraged people to commit fully to their drawing efforts and bring along a plan or reference picture of what they want to draw, as well as work gloves with a smooth latex grip, and something comfortable to kneel on. People can bring their own chalk or charcoal, but not pastels or tempera paint.

‘I’d love for there to be 30 or more complete pictures with people having spent a good hour or more on their drawings.

‘I hope people will bring down picnics, drinks and an umbrella if it’s sunny, and make a full day of it.

‘The plan is to put a drone up in the air once everything is finished and video the final results, which can then be used to promote future editions of the event.’

He said that Saumarez Park was the ideal place to hold the festival because of the smoothness of the Tarmac.

‘It’s in really good condition, I’m really hoping that some proper local artists will turn up and have a go.

‘I’d love for it to get bigger in the future so that artists from overseas travel over to take part.’

He hoped that younger artists would take home any chalk that was left over from the event, and recommended a washed-out empty milk carton to carry their chalk home.

‘It’s something free for kids to do, and I’m just hoping and praying that the weather will be kind to us.’

Tomorrow’s forecast is for dry weather, with just the risk of a shower.

. More information about the festival can be found on Mr Le Brun’s Facebook page, Dad Makes Stuff, or on the event page: https://bit.ly/452LsFg