Baltimore County, MD smARTS, 28 Mar 2016

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From YouTube: smARTS: Chalk Artist (Fall 2015)

Description

Learn about an Ag-stravaganza and meet chalk artist Shawn James.

A

Picture this: you're strolling through one of the most beautiful farms in the state, admiring and buying art from more than 60 local artists and artisans..

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Then you're trying your hand as an artist in a medium most of us used when we were kids., that's agstravaganza..

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Here's tell us more. Are marilyn maitland from the baltimore county arts guild.

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And artist shawn james. welcome to you both.

A

thank you., it's good to be here., so I'm not sure our viewers understand when I say "agstravaganza" as opposed to "extravaganza.".

B

I can understand. well,, we call it agstravaganza, because we're partnering with the maryland agricultural resource council.

B

And when you mentioned it,, it's an absolutely bucolic,, wonderful scene where we'll be doing chalk, --, you're right,, it's off shawan road where their center is, and it's a fabulous place. again, when you say we'll, be doing chalk,. What do you mean by that?

B

yeah, well,, we're going to have a whole arts festival that includes a chalk, festival and chalk, drawing.

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On all this long driveway, where everybody can join in and have a lot of fun.

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In addition,, we'll have many, many vendors with their art.

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And their art wares and some food trucks and a lot of good music,.

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So it's a fun day for everyone., but the chalk is almost the best and shawn has joined with us.

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To help us make a chalk festival, come alive.

A

You are the chalk master,. I understand.

C

Oh, I wouldn't go as far as to say: I'm the chalk. Master.

C

well tell us a little bit about what you do and chalk art.

C

Well,, I'm a wide-range artist.

C

I, like painting murals, like doing chalk work, I've done different festivals around the country and worked with various very professional chalk artists over the years.

C

I find that it's a very--, it's an ephemeral art that brings the joy that you had when you were a kid.

C

You used to get down on your hands and knees and draw just because it was fun..

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Now you get to take it up to the next level and continue the art history of the chalk, drawing,, which goes back hundreds and hundreds of years.

A

Okay, and you've done-- you're a pro at this..

A

I mean, you--, because I would think, you know,. You've got hundreds of people at the festival,.

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You've got artists and everything,, but you somehow make it all work and it's very inclusive not only of great artists and good artists.

A

But people like me who are non-artists.

C

Oh, well yeah.. This is going to be open to the public.. We want everybody to come out and have a good time., whether you're, a professional artist,, an artist on the side, family, kids,. It's going to be fun for everybody.

A

So the chalk art's not done on the cows in the field..

A

Can you just explain a little bit how it works.

C

Well,, when you approach the center, there's some pavement.

C

And it kind of goes around--.

A

Yeah,, it's a beautiful drive.. It's a beautiful driveway.

C

And it's an asphalt driveway,, which is really good for chalk, art actually. and we're going to have spaces already spaced out for everybody. There.

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And when you come and sign up, you'll get a number for your space,.

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You'll get a couple boxes of chalk and you'll go to your spot.

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And you're encouraged to do a piece of artwork of your choosing.

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That's agriculturally themed.

C

A

Okay,, so I got to ask you: then,: are you looking at the weather forecast, going, "please,, please don't rain!".

B

Well, we are of course. in october, that first week in october, october, 10th is traditionally absolutely wonderful..

B

This is our second year of doing this..

B

Last year, we had a bit of a mist,, but you know, people came out and had a grand time and it didn't spoil the chalk.

A

You said sometimes the chalk, even with the rain and everything was there. Four weeks, after.

B

It lasts. we had one that lasted almost four weeks with rain and mist and everything.

B

okay,. So this is a great family event,. I understand.

A

Any age for the chalk, art. there's a lot of different, though art you mentioned., there's going to be artists, there--.

B

Selling their wares. absolutely. last year, we had 60 vendors. everything from the watercolor to oils, to pastels,. Of course, chalk; acrylics.

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In the fine arts,, as well as some wonderful jewelry.

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And other art interpretations.

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so,, it's a wide range of art, that's available to the public.

B

One of the things that shawn's also going to be doing is linking sometimes student artists with--.

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If you come there and you go, "I, don't know what I want to do.".

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Well, he'll have a student artist who can say, "wait a minute.

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We can help you a little bit, get you underway.", so there's going to be a good collaboration. That's there.

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To help anyone who might be a little timid about doing their own chalk, art.

A

And I know that you're great chalk artists,, but as you said,, you do different-- you work in different media.

A

Correct. and a lot of people will know your work from in the city from some of these large murals.. Tell me quickly about the one across from m&t bank stadium.

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It was a mural that was painted by robert wyland in the early 90s.

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He started a kind of a program so to speak, to paint murals.

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Around the united states and bring awareness to the plight of blue whales and gray whales., and it was dilapidated. it's over time. Pollution, degradation of the paint.

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I was asked to come in and basically repaint the entire mural.

C

So many people who pass by that place, they immediately recognize that.

A

Well, we're looking forward to the huge icon in baltimore county and a great tribute to rural, to the rural, beautiful countryside.

A

And also to the baltimore county arts guild.. Thank you. Both., we'll see you on october, 10th.

B

Thank you.. This is terrific.. We appreciate it.

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So, here are some web links for more details on the agstravaganza,.

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The baltimore county arts guild and art on the farm.

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And listen,, while you're out at the ag center,, don't miss two wonderful new sculptures inspired by the farm and farm life.

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The land and art come together in cockeysville.