Press Release: Chalk It Up 2006

08.17.06

Media Contact: Libby D. Tilley

t 210 212 4900 x323

f 210 212 4990

ltilley@artpace.org

www.artpace.org

VALERO CHALK IT UP

San Antonio’s artists hit the streets

in a free, family-friendly event downtown on Houston Street

SAN ANTONIO, TX - Bring the family downtown on Saturday, October 21, 2006, 10am-5pm for the third annual Chalk It Up, a free chalk-art festival hosted by Artpace San Antonio and Valero Energy Corporation. Named “Best Arts and Cultural Project” for its 2004 launch by the Downtown Alliance’s ‘Best of’ Awards, this public event highlights talented artists and provides a community audience with the opportunity to appreciate and participate in San Antonio’s best creative resources.

“One of the great things about Artpace is its commitment to making art accessible to San Antonio-from their extensive educational programs to city-wide events like this one,” said J. Travis Capps, Jr., Vice President for Strategic Development at Valero Energy Corporation and an Artpace board member. “Chalk It Up exposes our community to contemporary art in a fun and family-friendly environment. Artpace, with its outreach to underprivileged and at-risk children, is a good fit with Valero.”

Last year, more than 6,000 attendees looked on as more than thirty premier visual artists turned our city sidewalks into works of art. In 2006, the community is once again invited to help complete a super-sized street mural and participate a variety of hands-on activities for children, which will be offered in the Kidzone-a space where imaginations soar! Held on Houston Street, between Soledad and S. Presa this convivial street scene continues the city’s efforts to help return the downtown area to a place where locals come to shop, dine, relax, and be entertained.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Presented by Artpace San Antonio and title sponsor Valero Energy Corporation, Chalk It Up raises public awareness about contemporary art in a fun, casual environment while reinvigorating utilization of downtown San Antonio. This annual community event is made possible through the support of Valero Corner Store; Federal Realty Investment Trust; HEB; Baptist Health System; Argonaut Group, Inc.; RBC Dain Rauscher; Frost Bank; Weston Centre; and Alamo Traffic Services, Inc.. In-kind support provided by: Hotel Valencia, Santikos Theatres, Herweck’s Art Supply, The RK Group, Sip, and The Shops at La Cantera. Media sponsors include Clear Channel Outdoor, 101.9 Soft Rock, Mix 96.1 fm, KJ 97.3 and WOAI radio; Fox 29/WB 35.

ARTISTS

Showcase Artists include some of San Antonio’s most recognizable names: Inspired by classical and Christian iconography, Lloyd Walsh’s works are infused with corrupted symbols intended to create confusion about the assumed role of visual language; Katie Pell, whose drawings and comic books irreverently explore identity and the potential for greatness in everyone; Mark Hogensen, whose skillful use of color and pattern keeps viewers negotiating their expectations of space; Terry Yba–ez, using colorful images that reflect upon the culture and history of this community; Alex de Leon, whose works transcribe both the pleasures and vices of contemporary life; Regis Shephard, whose playful graphic quality belies the power and politics of his compositions; Sabra Booth, whose abstracted biological forms suggest the multi-dimensional fabric of the living; James Cobb, inspired by the dynamic frequency of synthetic music to create digitally generated paintings in hot hues; Georgia Tambasis, who abstracts the landscapes of her native Greece and current home in South Texas; and Hills Snyder, whose explorations of history and myth cleverly combine arcane and pop cultural references.

Using the sidewalks as their canvases, the artists will create monumental, 15 x 20 ft. original abstract and representational images in chalk, reflective of Artpace’s focus on cutting-edge contemporary art. The challenge of the format, the limit of time, and the pressure of a viewing public, will undoubtedly lead these creators to formulate new and unexpected results in their work.

Additionally, South Texas’ young artists will be invited to collaborate on their own creations. While the mood of the works will vary by artist and team-from dynamic, figurative images to more reflective, quiet compositions-what will stay the same is the media: CHALK!

MUSIC, FOOD, AND MORE

There’s something for everyone at Chalk It Up! Music by diggindeepquartet DJs-Sean G, DJ Gibb, DJ Rise, and JJ Lopez-will provide an energetic backdrop for the art-filled day. Come hungry, Houston Street boasts some of San Antonio’s most well-reviewed restaurants, including Sip, ?nar, Bohanan’s, Houston Street Bistro, The Palm, and Yokonyu. Can’t break away from the art? No problem—there will be fajita tacos, gorditas, nachos, and an array of festival food available throughout the venue. Additionally, street-side shopping at area storefronts rounds off this family-friendly event.

Artpace extends our appreciation to the 2006 Chalk It Up Committee: Chair, Loren O’Dell; J. Travis Capps Jr.; Rick Cloutman, Courtney Duphorne, Adrianne Frost, Kim Gold, Jim Hansford, Stephanie Krueger, Robert Leyva, Jackie Mallette, and Christine Tyng.

About Artpace
Artpace San Antonio serves as a laboratory for the creation and advancement of international contemporary art. Artpace believes that art is a dynamic social force that inspires individuals and defines cultures. Our residencies, exhibitions, and education programs nurture the creative expression of emerging and established artists, while actively engaging youth and adult audiences.

Artpace is located downtown at 445 North Main Avenue, between Savings and Martin streets, San Antonio, Texas. Free parking is available on the corner of Savings and N. Flores streets. Artpace is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 12-5 PM, Thursday, 12-8 PM, and by appointment. Admission is free. Artpace is wheelchair accessible. Sign language interpretation available upon request, please call in advance. Large-print gallery notes are available at front desk.

Artpace San Antonio is supported by Kronkosky Charitable Foundation; Melva Bucksbaum and Raymond Learsy; Neiman Marcus; Nimoy Foundation; Valero Energy Corporation; H-E-B; National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art; Texas Commission on the Arts; the William and SalomŽ Scanlan Foundation; The Brown Foundation, Inc.; AT&T, Inc.; The Nordan Trust; Matthews Family Foundation; Target; RBC Dain Rauscher Foundation; Amy Shelton McNutt Charitable Trust; the Make Your Mark Circle; and the Friends of Artpace.

445 North Main Avenue San Antonio TX 78205 t 210 212 4900 f 210 212 4990 www.artpace.org