Street Art

A Brief History

The origins of street art can be traced back to 16th century Italy, where artists were paid to create depictions of religious subjects on the streets. Since a popular subject matter was the Madonna, these artists were commonly referred to as ““Madonnari”. This artform lost popularity in the ensuing centuries, but was renewed in the 1970s and has been embraced by artists and the public. Today, artists participate in Chalk Festivals throughout the United States and internationally; gathering as a community to showcase their talents and celebrate this historic artform. A spectator at a Chalk Festival will witness the creation of large-scale art pieces ranging from recreations of famous masterpieces to 3D illusions.

Materials

Today, most street artists utilize sidewalk chalk and chalk pastels in the creation of their pieces. Tempra paint is sometimes used as a foundation, giving the ground a more uniform texture and providing a basecoat of color. When visiting a Chalk Festival, you will see a variety of pastels, techniques and tools used by artists.