Senior Austin Talamantes (at right) and Adam Ketchum, Emma Brown, and Maddy Judd (all ’16) work on last year’s Chalk It Up square, which featured a Diego Rivera painting.
Chalk It Up brings together local artists and 50,000 Sacramentans in a weekend of food, music and, of course, chalk.
The event, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Sept. 3-5, takes place in Fremont Park. Country Day students will be there in the morning on Sept. 3.
Patricia Kelly, who teaches middle- and high-school studio art, said this year will be the school’s fourth attending the event.
Established in 1991, Chalk It Up is a nonprofit organization supporting youth art programs in the Sacramento region.
In previous years, Country Day’s square in Chalk It Up has usually been a preview for the Chalk Mural, with art by Gregory Kondos, Betty LaDuke and Diego Rivera.
However, this year’s painting by Rhett Thurman, “Indian Dancer #2,” will not be in conjunction with the Chalk Mural.
“We are just choosing Rhett Thurman because (sophomore Sophie Naylor) liked her stuff,” Kelly said.
“Plus, Sophie’s grandmother knows (Thurman), so there’s this Country Day connection.”
For seniors Austin Talamantes and Isabelle Leavy, who both participated in Chalk It
Junior Nina Dym (on shoulders), Adam Ketchum, ’16, and senior Austin Talamantes take a step back to watch fellow students work on their square during last year’s Chalk It Up.
Up last year, this event is more than drawing on a sidewalk.
“I saw families, clubs and organizations all working on squares and having a great time,” Talamantes said.
“It’s a good bonding activity.”
“I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday,” Leavy said. “You get to see art, share it and experience it.
“Art is not just to create for yourself, but to share with others and let others share with you.”
Last year, 15 Country Day students attended, some from Kelly’s AP Studio Art class and others who just wanted to help and look at the art.
“It’s a great and fun event to come (to) and not only participate in, but also to see what local artists are doing,” Kelly said.
“It’s pretty amazing.”
According to Leavy, there are different elements to Chalk It Up.
“You get a lot of practice in creating art, but there is also the feeling of being part of a greater community dedicated to art,” she said.
The SCDS Chalk It Up square from last year was a sneak peek at the works of Diego Rivera, who would be featured in that year’s Chalk Mural.
In addition to the art, there will be local musicians performing throughout the three days. There are also craft booths, food trucks and a wine and beer garden.
—By Allison Zhang
