Local Artists Invited Downtown to ‘Chalk It Up Against Bullying’
In an effort to raise awareness regarding the problem of bullying in our community, the Washington County Coalition for Children and Wakefield Village Association are holding a judged chalk art and performance contest for K-12 students and adults living in Washington County. Additional sponsors for this event include: The Friendship Fund, South County Art Supply, Pier Pizza Company, Centreville Bank, and Brickley’s Ice Cream. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 12th from 11 am – 3 pm (with Rain Date of Sunday, October 13th).
Contest includes both Chalk Art & Performance Art Divisions
The contest includes two divisions: Chalk Art and Performance Art. And $100 cash prizes will be awarded in each division in 4 separate age categories:
- Grades K-4
- Grades 5-8
- Grades 9-12
- Adult.
Three-member panels of judges will determine award winners. The awards will be announced at the end of the event.
Contestants can work in teams, but must enter in the category of their oldest member. Entries can be fun, entertaining, serious, creative, colorful, futuristic, and/or thought-provoking, but must carry an anti-bullying message, and be appropriate for all ages and audiences.
Each participating chalk artist or team will be assigned a designated square upon which to produce artwork depicting a bullying prevention theme. Chalk will be provided and private driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks of local businesses will serve as the art canvases.
Participants in the performance division may present an original poem or short story, perform an original song, rap, or skit, or show a short video or documentary they have created with a bullying prevention message. Performances and film screenings must be limited to no more than five minutes. Performance Division entrants must submit a copy of their performance material (not just a link) by Friday, October 4th at 5 pm for scheduling purposes.
Entry fee per participant is $15. All participants will receive a Chalk It Up Against Bullying T-shirt and a coupon for a free slice of pizza and drink at Pier Pizza, as well as an ice cream cone from Brickley’s. Chalk artists will receive charcoal for outlining their artwork and a set of chalk (compliments of South County Art Supply).
More than just a contest, a community arts event with a purpose
The goal for the day is simple: to inspire new ways to prevent bullying in our schools, neighborhoods, and communities. Chalk It Up Against Bullying coincides with the October celebration of National Bullying Prevention month. To that end, we welcome volunteers of all ages to create chalk art drawings without participating in the contest. Those interested in drawing should contact volunteer coordinator Michelle Blechman at wings185@verizon.net. All are welcome.
“By conducting the event in downtown Wakefield, we hope to foster dialogue and engage the larger community in addressing bullying, which as many as 2 of 3 Washington County middle schoolers reported they experienced last year,” said Susan Orban, Coalition Coordinator. “We also hope to set the tone for what we want for our children and our town. We want to create a supportive, inclusive community where bullying doesn’t exist,” added Eva Gallant, owner of Pier Pizza Company, and one of the event’s organizers. This community arts event is designed to support the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which the Coalition has been working to implement in area schools over the past few years.
For event flyer, click here. For more information, download contest Chalk It Up Guidelines
