Chalking it up as a great day of public art
Budding artists turned the grey pavements of Saumarez Park into a rainbow of images for the second Guernsey Chalk Art Festival.
The free event on Saturday aimed to give people of all ages the chance to draw on the paths of the park, with prizes for the best.
Organiser Ross Le Brun said they had a very busy morning, with a busy afternoon after a quieter lunch period.
‘There are some really nice pictures,’ he said.
The organisers had 40 boxes of chalks, which contained 160 chalks each, to ensure there were enough for everyone to use and enjoy.
Katie Tyson was at the event with her children Harper, nine, and Dylan, 11. It was their first time at the festival.
‘It’s really wonderful to see so much creativity,’ she said.
Dylan decided to draw an ice-cream, as if it had been dropped.
‘I’m having a great time,’ he said.
‘It’s nice to see everyone having a good time doing art.’
Seven-year-old Sid Gilligan was drawing minions in his allocated square of path.
‘The film came out this year and I enjoyed it,’ he said, when he was asked about his inspiration.
He said he was enjoying the festival.
‘You can just do whatever you want.’
Shelley Tansell said an event like the festival was a great way to fill a day with free fun. Her children drew a variety of images. Ciaran, seven, drew a cartoon cat, Liam, nine, did an image of planets, and Fionn, 11, did a skull.
‘We came to the festival last year, and it was really good for the children – they’ve just loved it,’ Mrs Tansell said.
‘They have been so creative.’
Mr Le Brun said chalk art was an important form of art, which did not always get the recognition it deserved.
‘A lot of people look down on chalk as a medium, but in the US they take it very seriously,’ he said.
‘It is a brilliant medium, as it can be used by anyone.’
He said he was planning to hold another festival next year. He is also looking for an internal venue to do a chalk festival during the winter, maybe around Christmas time or Halloween.
The event was sponsored by San Lorenzo and Creaseys toys, which meant it could be free for the young artists.
Agricultural, Countryside & Land Management Services gave permission for the festival, which used non-toxic chalks, which will wash away when it next rains. The next rainfall is likely to be on Tuesday night.
