By Mitch Barber
SACRAMENTO, CA (UBO MAG) – Chalk It Up! has been taking place since 1991. These days it happens at Fremont Park, on the border of downtown and midtown between 15th and 16th, and P and Q streets.
It is a street block that includes over two hundred sidewalk squares. (Think the movie “Inception” where there were dreams within dreams.)
This year Christy Jourdan ran the show; it is her fifth year as executive director and 11th as a volunteer. She said that 150 volunteers at the park “make it happen.”
When asked what is new for this year, she was quick to answer. She said, “We’re super-stoked about our sponsor Taco Bell Cantina.” The restaurant is at 900 K Street and owned by a man dubbed “Taco Dave,” officially known as Dave Smith.
Jourdan said, “This event has a $90,000 price tag on it. Somebody like Taco Dave comes in, wants to know how he can help.”
She said the owner’s monetary contribution went towards a big tent for the beer garden, and a picnic area.
Another key person in the organization of the event is Linda Perry who has been involved since the event’s beginnings. She described herself as the “general kerfuffle fixer.” In the past she has been the treasurer of Chalk It Up. Her husband, Jerry Perry, served as the stage manager for many years. Bands play on all three days of the event held on Labor Day weekend.
Linda said, “I’m excited we have a younger generation of volunteers. We’re just old ladies.”
Her goal is for the younger ones to take over. She wished for the older, more-experienced volunteers’ future: “You’ll just see us in rocking chairs in the beer garden.”
According to the event’s website, chalkitup.org, “Chalk It Up’s mission is to empower and support the next generation of Sacramento artists through targeted art grants for young artists and the programs that inspire them.”
A square costs $250 to sponsor. The money goes to schools and organizations that provide field trips, easels and paintbrushes, after school mentorship programs and more.
Also on the website it indicates that “grants are open to organizations based in the Sacramento region currently providing arts education, support, and training for K-12 youth.”
Though the event funds youth programming and materials, both young and old of many hues came out to illustrate with chalk on the sidewalk squares.
A 12-year old named Mason was in his second year drawing at the event. He had a whole crew of family urging him on. He drew a character named Satoru Gojo from the anime (Japanese animation) called “Jujutsu Kaizen.”
Somewhat older was Yixin Huang from Singapore, a 17-year-old St. Francis High School student. Her art square was sponsored by Girls Rock Sacramento, and she was encouraged by the presence of her parents from China.
Sisters Alani, 8, and Alaysiya, 11, worked on adjacent squares. Alani said of her own art, which included a rendition of the character Strawberry Shortcake, “I love strawberries. It’s a sweet treat theme.” Her sidewalk square had multiple squares drawn within it with sweet edible treats represented.
Alaysiya worked on “virtual singers” including Hatsune Miku.
An adult artist was present in Ayee Zay, Cordova High School Class of 2018. “This is my third year and first back-to-back,” he said.
He said of his art: “I just use my imagination. It’s a concept based around nature and nurture. It’s introspective.”
Let’s hope the younger artists can fill his philosophical shoes at the next Chalk It Up!
