Find Out What Everyone's Chalking About at ArtSplash 2013 this Weekend in Carlsbad

Carlsbad’s annual fall classic – the ArtSplash Chalk Art and Entertainment Festival – dives onto Armada Drive between Cannon/Palomar Airport Roads September 28-29, 2013. The free, family-oriented festival takes place Saturday, 10 am-6 pm; Sunday, 10 am-5 pm.

With this year’s fun theme of “The Wheel Deal,” ArtSplash 2013 marks its 11th anniversary of being a community celebration for arts education by continuing to offer event-goers free parking and admission plus free and easy access to nonstop music and entertainment, a host of hands-on arts activities and innovative new features such as pro skateboard demos and a car show.  Visitors also can enter opportunity raffles for great prizes, including a Scottsdale, AZ vacation.

The City of Carlsbad is title sponsor. Proceeds benefit arts and music programs in North County schools. In addition, a special garden of nonperishable foods and gently used apparel will sprout to life over the weekend, then be donated to a local charity.

ArtSplash chair and co-founder Joni Miringoff states, “Every year, we strive to provide the approximately 30,000 weekend visitors with a memorable, multi-sensory experience. We offer popular perennials like Saturday’s Noon-3 pm Taste at ArtSplash featuring cuisine from local eateries such as Ignite, Islands, The Broken Yolk, The Daily News and more. Other annual favorites include sand sculpture by world-renowned Gerry Kirk, regional standouts such as the Shokenji Taiko Vista Buddhist Temple Drummers and the ever-popular Euphoria Brass Band, which performs on stage and then takes its special brand of New Orleans jazz to the street.”

She emphasizes, “The big ‘draw’ is museum-quality chalk art created by professionals on the pavement while people watch as well as kid-sized chalking and art-making opportunities.”

2013 “Wheel Deal” features include Bones Wheels Pro Skateboard Demos throughout the weekend, a Best of Show Coach Car Show on Sunday from 10 am-4 pm, a silent auction of 30 gorgeously unique, artist-painted skateboards (including one autographed by world-famous skateboarders!) and more surprises to come. Also on the lineup are speed painting by local artist Amy Burkman, a He’Ro’es for Hope 3-mile breast cancer walk on Sunday morning and other features in the works.     

ArtSplash was established in 2002 to help fill the hunger for art in Carlsbad and all of North County; especially in the schools. To date, ArtSplash has contributed more than $42,000 to school programs highlighting diverse visual and performing arts and music programs. During school year 2012-13, ArtSplash grants totaling $8,672 funded 17 enriching programs in Carlsbad Unified School District, Encinitas Union School District, San Dieguito Union High School District, San Marcos Unified School District and Vista Unified School District.

In Carlsbad, Valley Middle School Art Teacher Sue de Wulf, who brings students to the festival to chalk every year, transformed her recent $700 grant into a beautiful art project involving more than 300 students. De Wulf says, “The students sculpted whimsical creatures utilizing 600 pounds of clay and colorful glazes purchased with grant funds. Thank you, Art Splash!”

Miringoff says, “We thank Sue and all teachers who turn a modicum of ArtSplash grant money into an enormous benefit for their students and the community. We look forward to seeing familiar and new faces at ArtSplash 2013. Based on a centuries-old tradition beginning with itinerant Italian artists painting transitory works on the street, our chalk art festival celebrates an enduring effort to unleash the creativity in people of all ages and walks of life. Come join us!”

For more information on ArtSplash 2013,visit www.facebook.com/carlsbadartsplash and www.carlsbadartsplash.org, then plan to visit the event in person September 28-29. You’ll be amazed to discover what everyone’s chalking about!

–ArtSplash Press Release