As the calendar nears August, it can only mean one thing for downtown St. Joseph – artists from near and far are getting ready to turn the street into their own personal canvas.
Chalk the Block returns to downtown St. Joseph next weekend, Aug. 5-7, with 35 artists set to captivate locals and visitors alike with their creations on Broad Street.
The long-held event is one of the most popular in the city, evolving from a mostly local and regional event to one with professional chalk artists from over 1,000 miles away.
“Over the last eight years we’ve built this relationship with some traveling professional artists,” said St. Joseph Today Events & Operations Manager Daniele Crevier. “It’s been great to have them in [to] step up the chalk event and also be kind of like a mentor and teaching some different things to some amateur local artists that come up to the event.”
This year, 15 artists from Berrien and Van Buren counties will participate, with seven additional Michigan artists and 13 from out of state, including as far as West Palm Beach, Florida and Fort Worth, Texas.
Crevier also explained why Chalk the Block remains so endearing to locals and tourists alike through the years. To see the list of artists and browse their work, visit stjoetoday.com/meet-the-artists.
“I think people really respond to it because they can watch the artists right there – essentially over the course of two days – create these awesome masterpieces on the ground,” she said. “Many of them are returning artists – whether they are professional or amateur artists – and its really cool to see what they bring year after year.”
New this year, four artists will showcase their chalk masterpieces at The Market and Silver Harbor Brewing in the days leading up to Chalk the Block.
Attendees also can participate in the event by voting for their favorite artists in the People’s Choice vote. To vote, purchase tickets at the People’s Choice Tent located on Broad St. Tickets cost $1 per vote. The artist with the most votes by the end of the weekend wins the People’s Choice Award.
On Friday, artists will begin to grid their layouts and outline their pieces, with the People’s Choice winner being announced Sunday after voting ends at 2 p.m.
‘Something for everyone’
St. Joseph Today is also encouraging attendees to explore the area all weekend. On Friday, the Benton Harbor Arts Association is set to host Arts in the Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Arts District.
The St. Joe Farmers Market will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lake Bluff Park. Additionally, kids of all ages are invited to showcase their own chalk skills from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Giannola Parking Lot across from Wanderlust Outfitters.
The Relay for Life of Berrien County is being hosted from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Lake Bluff Park, while “Remember the Titans” plays during the summer movie series at Milton Park. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, more than 50 antique vendors will be at Lake Bluff Park for Antiques on the Bluff.
“There’s a little something for everyone,” said St. Joseph Today Executive Director Amy Zapal. “Sun-filled beach days, a wide variety of shops, breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, the Whirlpool Compass Fountain, fantastic restaurants, local events, live music and so much more.”
By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
