Last in a series
Much like the Court Square Street Fair of which they will be a part, the art activities sponsored by the Sampson Arts Council have gotten bigger and better this year, giving children and adults alike ample opportunities to share their colorfully creative sides.
The 26th annual Court Square Street Fair and 19th annual Barbecue Cook-Off will kick into full gear this Saturday morning, Oct. 13, and art activities, like all the other fair fun, will be ongoing throughout the day.
The Student Art Contest is back, as is the Chalk Art Contest, now in its second year. New this year, there will be yarn and tile art, as well as other hands-on art activities available to those wishing to take part.
In its first year, the “Chalk It Up!” Chalk Art Contest brought some literal color to the downtown streets. After a positive response, the contest is moving to a new space in the parking lot at 300 E. Main St. next to the “Milling Around” art piece.
“Last year was the first year of the Chalk Art Contest. It was a curiosity for the public to see artists at work drawing on the street,” said Sampson Arts Council executive director Kara Donatelli. “We hope this event will be bigger and better this year with more artist participation. Fourteen spots will be available this year on a first-come, first-served basis. Artists from 6 to adult are encouraged to show off their drawing talents.”
Those interested can stop by the Arts Council at 709 College St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday to register in advance, or at the Arts Council booth near “Milling Around” at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The “Chalk It Up!” Chalk Art Contest will run from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with a $5 registration fee including a pack of 24 artist-quality chalk pastels. Local children and adult artists are encouraged to enter and show off their drawing talents either individually or in a group of up to three people.
Each artist will have a 4 foot x 4 foot square on the street to draw their masterpieces. Different age groups include 6-12, 13-18 and over 18, with all entries to be judged by local artists Mac and Lila Maxwell. Winners, who will receive a Sampson Arts Council gift bag filled with art supplies, will be announced at 2 p.m.
The Sampson Arts Council is one of the local partners sponsoring the street fair under the coordinating The Clinton Main Street Program. The Sampson Regional Medical Center, Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP), the Sampson Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sampson County History Museum, the Downtown Dash 5k Committee, the Ol’ Lightnin’ Rods Car Club and the city of Clinton are also putting on events and various activities as part of the annual event.
For the first year, live music will be held on Main Street Friday night and activities will begin bright and early the next morning with the first-ever Downtown Dash 5k & Fun Run starting from the downtown and the second annual Care Fair at the Center for Health and Wellness. The Saturday fair will kick off at 10 a.m., with everything from barbecue, baked goods, arts and crafts, antique cars, old-timey demonstrations and children’s games and rides among the event’s activities.
The art activities will extend throughout the fair at the peak of College Street and the site of the “Milling Around” piece.
While “Chalk It Up!” is not new, there will be plenty of additions to this year’s Arts Council-sponsored activities, including a sidewalk chalk “free draw” for those who want to express creativity without entering the contest. Additionally, there will be tile art, yarn art and hands-on art activities for all ages.
Free hands-on art activities for children of all ages will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Yarn art will allow participants to make a decorative design using a simple weaving technique with yarn and sticks, while also utilizing beads, feathers and nature items to complete the design. Tile art will let artists young and old create a bold and vivid design with permanent markers on a square tile.
A mainstay at the fair, the Student Art Contest will showcase the 2D art creations of Sampson County students, ranging from drawings to paintings, photography to printmaking. All entries will be displayed at the Art Council booth, with entries from Hobbton and Lakewood high schools, Sampson Early College High School, Sampson Middle and Plain View Elementary among those on display, Donatelli noted.
Ribbons will be awarded for Best in Show, first, second and third place in each grade level. Grade levels are K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Honorable mentions may be awarded at the discretion of the judge, with all ribbons will be awarded by the Sampson Arts Council.
She said participation in the art activities at the street fair allows exposure for student artists in the Art Contest, an outlet to express creativity with the Chalk Art Contest and free hands-on art activities that allow youngsters a forum to create something and take it home. Donatelli said, in addition to awarding talented artists and giving would-be artists a forum to show off their skills, participating in the fair also shines a spotlight for local arts and the Arts Council, so that those interested might pursue further involvement.
“The main goal is to inform everyone about upcoming art events and classes, (and provide) information on how to become a member of the Sampson Arts Council to help support arts programming in our community,” said Donatelli.
For more information about Saturday’s art activities, call the Sampson Arts Council at 910-596-2533 or visit the Arts Council website at www.sampsonarts.net for a full list of events. For comprehensive information about the Court Square Street Fair, visit www.courtsquarestreetfair.com.
Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137 ext. 121 or via email at sicrime@heartlandpublications.com.
Post a Comment
