Source: Jennifer Goodard for Village Properties
Families with children interested in creating street art for the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival are invited to pick up free boxes of chalk at a drive-through event, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 29 at host Village Properties’ Santa Barbara office parking lot, 1436 State St.
Village Properties staff members and members of the Children’s Creative Project arts education organization will hand out 1,000 boxes of children’s chalk.
Families are encouraged to use the chalk to create their own Kids Square art pieces on their driveway or neighborhood sidewalk for the I Madonnari festival, over Memorial Day weekend, May 29-31. Photos of the Kids Squares can be posted on the festival’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
I Madonnari will be celebrated virtually again this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The festival is traditionally held at The Mission, but this year, as in 2020, invited artists and sponsored artists will create chalk masterpieces at private locations, such as driveways and parking lots. These works, along with progress shots and time lapses, will be displayed online and visible in neighborhoods throughout the city.
The Kids Squares offer an opportunity for children and families to participate in the fun and creativity.
Last year’s online festival drew thousands of visitors from around the world to I Madonnari’s social media pages. The chalk art by professional, sponsored and child artists also brought color and beauty to driveways and sidewalks in Santa Barbara’s neighborhoods amid the dark months of the pandemic.
Festival organizers are hopeful the event can return to the Old Mission in 2022. Village Properties is a major sponsor for the festival, which is now in its 35th year.
I Madonnari serves as the main fundraiser for the Children’s Creative Project, a nonprofit organization that brings arts education to thousands of school children throughout Santa Barbara County through professional-led workshops and performances by multicultural touring artists.
Fundraising income has declined during the pandemic, and the organization is seeking additional donations and support to continue its work during the 2021-22 school year.
For information about the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival, including participation and sponsorship opportunities, visit https://ccp.sbceo.org/i-madonnari/welcome. To support the Children’s Creative Project go to https://ccp.sbceo.org/donate.
For information about Village Properties visit https://www.villagesite.com/ or email info@villagesite.com.
