Chalk the Walk 2020
In an effort to spread joy across Rochester and put some local artists back to work, on August 15, 2020, RNeighbors partnered with the City of Rochester, and the Southeastern Minnesota Poets to hold a city-wide Chalk the Walk Festival. This opportunity was funded through Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, originating from the federal government and allocated to the City of Rochester by the State of Minnesota. More about these funds here.
1,300 baggies of free sidewalk chalk were distributed across the city at community partner locations, as well as through the public school district lunch program. Throughout neighborhoods sidewalks were filled with a vast array of pavement poetry and sidewalk art done by participants. A highlight of Chalk the Walk included 12 chalk murals across the city that were created by professional artists, giving them some much needed work during the pandemic.
“This payment will go towards my rent for next month. I know many artists in need and this has been a huge help for me financially.”
-Cassandra Buck“This event helped to provide safe community interactions, give financial support to artists in need while uplifting their art form by informing others this is supporting small business artists.”
-Amarama Vercnocke“This experience was amazing. The community was very interested and curious. I loved drawing and talking to people about Chalk the Walk. It was a very supportive experience. The fact that people made efforts to see all the art and all the parts of Rochester alongside with it proves the unifying effect this project had.”
-Brianna Acker
You can view each artists’ mural and read about their Festival experience below by clicking on their profile photo. Many of the artists’ photos were taken by Copper and Coal Photography, also giving them needed employment. Below that album is an collection of some of the fun public sidewalk art that was spread across Rochester. #RochChalktheWalk.
Chalk the Walk Professional Artists
Isabelle Master
“Koi Joy”
“Parents stopped by and were making their way down the list using it as a scavenger hunt with their kids.
Chalk the Walk really expanded the sense of community and our desire to have some sort of interaction with others. People enjoy having something in common to talk about and enjoy seeing other people's creativity process.
I had wanted to get a part-time job this summer since my illustrating jobs and regular art type gigs had
dried up for the summer.
Additionally, I have rather serious medical issues. Risking my health or that of my family was not worth the risks of getting a part time job.”
Brianna Acker
“Together We Will Grow”
"I sell Jewelry on Etsy. Business has not been so well because people cannot spread money on extra things.
I cannot sew so I cannot help and create masks. Sadly, I had to close my jewelry shop on Etsy because of financial strain. It has been difficult finding jobs when so many businesses are not hiring at this time due to COVID.
This experience was amazing. The community was very interested and curious. I loved drawing and talking to people about Chalk the Walk. It was a very supportive experience.
The fact that people made efforts to see all the art and all the parts of Rochester alongside with it proves the
unifying effect this project had.”
Kari Dunn
“Boundless Joy”
“COVID‐19 has greatly impacted the business I’ve been employed by for several years – a coach and leadership training company that has previously relied on in‐person trainings all over the world ‐ and has meant quite a few layoffs of staff and/or reduced hours. In my case, my hours have been cut to a bare minimum, which has meant not only less income but stresses affecting my mental health and hence enthusiasm for daily tasks and creating art.
Chalk the Walk served to engage people in a community effort, and with each other.”
Adriana Loecher
“Open Your Mind”
“As a recent college graduate COVID‐19 has made it really difficult to get started with my career.
There were lots of smiles from bikers as they zoomed past. A few people shared their own stories which I really appreciated. Some stopped by and took pictures. A few expressed their excitement over creating their own chalk art when they got home with the supplies I handed out.
With limited mobility due to social distancing this became a great way to get people out and moving
safely. In a weird way I felt everybody who walked by participated in the mural process. In this
way, we all connected through the mural.”
Cassandra Buck
“Bloom”
“Covid has affected my ability to sell my work in my store, Clover and Rose, and at art fairs, as well as
connect with new customers for sales and commissions.
I also believe this benefited the artists who participated. This payment will go towards
my rent for next month. I know many artists in need and this has been a huge help for me
financially.
I think this project benefited Rochester by bringing us together so to speak when we all have to
physically be apart. I feel like this brought people from all walks of life together (the fact it was all
over town and not localized to one place helped this happen). We all were viewing art together as a
community!”
Sierra Renee Gaza
“Beauty of Culture”
“Before the pandemics impact I was working 30 hour shifts as a barista in the Apache Mall caribou,
now I work less than 10 hours and make not nearly enough income to purchase much needed
supplies for clay sculpting & acrylic painting.
I think my mural will be fun for the kids (at the Boys and Girls Club) and hopefully they see themselves too as a work of art. I hope they find beauty in their skin color and that they are influenced positively
about their appearance, as many more people encourage learning about cultural impact at school. I hope people have these conversations in their home because racism is a learned mindset, and children look up to what we stand for.”
Amarama Vercnocke
“Whispers of Joy”
“This event helped to provide safe community interactions, give financial support to artists in need while uplifting their art form by informing others this is supporting small business artists.
I have lost 90% of my monthly income as an artist due to COVID‐19 both in no longer having my part
time art job and volunteering at Neon Green and directly with my main income art business
Amarama Art.
Peace is something hard to find these days for myself and when I make art it helps my mental and emotional health stay grounded. I wanted the same effect with the poem by Susan McMillan to also be visual in the words she chose for this piece.”
Heather Wright
“Beetle Beat”
"The pandemic postponed an illustration job I had in the United Kingdom, follow up projects, and a residency. Which has affected my housing situation.
Chalk art is something all ages can understand and all ages feel they can do. It has the connotation of innocent fun as well as exciting street art. It is a medium that truly speaks to everyone. The pandemic and the political climate have made people lonely, afraid, angry, and reclusive. Tapping a universal pleasure like chalk art was exactly what the people needed.”
Amy Garretson
“Moving Forward”
“COVID 19 has brought much uncertainty to the arts community, and the visual arts non‐profit sector
Is no different. Loss of revenue due to the pandemic equals in the 6 figure range for my organization,
And I would like the opportunity to cover expenses for Education program art supplies.
The best reactions were '...that looks familiar...' and I was able to turn the conversation into a teaching moment to discuss street art of the 1980’s and 1990’s with folks."
Jacqueline Ontiveros and Maria Coronado
“A Glance of our Hispanic Roots”
"I have felt the economic impact of COVID‐19, since as an artist my work depends on the day to day. This
means that my sales have been affected by the closure of other businesses; the economic situation of
other people; the social distancing when I try to access to other people to sell my art.
La realidad del mundo en 2020 en una sola foto.. los ojos el dolor la tristeza que hay en todo el mundo, la mano Dios nos sostiene fuerte para no caer y vencer el mal , iglesia , hopital, escuelas cerradas; algo que es muy importante en la vida para todos ,mascara protegiendonos mundialmente a nosotros mismos del virus que esta terminando con tanta gente ,covd-19 un virus invisible que esta matando tanta gente y que se aparten familias amigos etc BLM todos somos importantes sin importar el color de piel... gracias por su apoll.
The reality of the world in 2020 in a single photo .. the eyes the pain the sadness that exists in the whole world, God's hand holds us strong so as not to fall and overcome evil, church, hospital, closed schools; something that is very important in life for everyone, mask protecting ourselves worldwide from the virus that is ending with so many people, covd-19 an invisible virus that is killing so many people and causing family friends to move away BLM we are all important regardless of color skin."
*The artist (Guerilla Haiku Movement) not hired with CARES Art Grant funds.
Chalk the Walk Public Art
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