Chalk and Chocolate Expands to TC

July 24, 2015

Despite a rain cancellation in 2014, Crooked Tree Arts Center's Chalk and Chocolate is returning to Petoskey this year, with a second event scheduled for their new Traverse City location.

Hoping to present a summertime community event similar to their New Year's Eve party, which draws over 800 people each year, CTAC thought street art would offer something unique and fun to bring the crowds.

DRAW OR WATCH

"There are few chalk festivals in the Midwest," explained Cindy McSurely, CTAC development director. "Plus, we enjoy collaborations and often seek them out."

Top of Michigan Trails Council was selected as the natural partner for the event, since Chalk and Chocolate is held on the Little Traverse Wheelway bordering Little Traverse Bay, which offers plenty of cement "canvas" for the artists to create.

"It’s a gorgeous and perfect spot," Mc- Surely said. "Large international street art festivals are often several day affairs," she continued. "At our fest, many of the artists will be working most of the day on their piece, with spectators able to hang out, view and talk to the artists."

To participate, artists can register ahead or day-of, starting at 8am; there is a small fee to participate (proceeds benefit Crooked Tree Arts Center, Top of Michigan Trails Council and TART). Cash prizes of up to $1,000 will be awarded in three categories for the completed works of chalk art: Renaissance or Master's Reproduction, Open Theme and Junior Division.

STREET AND SWEET

Two other elements of this year’s Chalk and Chocolate will be real standouts: one street and one sweet.

"We have David Zinn!" McSurely enthused. "He will be the featured artist and juror for Chalk and Chocolate."

Zinn (zinnart.com) is the nationally known street artist from Ann Arbor whose most frequent works include the character of Sluggo, the bug-eyed green alien who crawls out of 3-D environments that Zinn draws himself. Zinn will create a special chalk art piece just for the Petoskey event, so bring your cameras.

And, of course, per the event's name, there will be chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.

"We wanted another aspect to attract even more people to see the artists’ work, so we thought chocolate would be a draw," Mc- Surely said.

The result: a chocolate tasting tent that will run from noon to 4pm. A $5 ticket gets you three chocolate samples from the chocolate vendors of your choice, which include candy makers, bakers and pastry chefs.

"Besides the obvious alliteration, chocolate goes with everything!" McSurely said.

ART, MEET TART

Speaking of perfect pairings, CTAC's recent merger with Artcenter Traverse City inspired them to add a second day, and city, to the Chalk and Chocolate event.

"We were specifically hoping to be able to replicate this event in Traverse City," Mc- Surely said.

The TC version will be part of the Traverse City Film Fest's Free at the Festival offerings, and their Chalk and Chocolate will be held on the TART trails alongside Grand Traverse Bay.

"We are so excited for the artists, since the TCFF draws a national audience, so we are additionally offering a People's Choice Award of $500 there. It will be really fun to see how many people cast their vote!" Mc- Surely said.

Brian Beauchamp, outreach and program director for TART Trails, matches Mc- Surely’s enthusiasm.

"We’re thrilled to be partnering with CTAC and Top of Michigan Trails on this first TC Chalk and Chocolate event on the TART Trail," Beauchamp said. "We’ve seen what CTAC has done in Petoskey and are so happy they’ve expanded their footprint to Traverse City. It's a really exciting time for us, with our upcoming non-motorized trail connecting Traverse City and Charlevoix, and we’re thrilled to be involved in a project that supports the arts."

"Everything just fell into place," McSurely added. "Love when that happens!"

The 2015 Chalk and Chocolate Festival will take place Saturday, Aug. 1, in Traverse City's Clinch Park on the TART Trail, as part of the TCFF's Free at the Festival, and on Saturday, Aug. 15, on the Little Traverse Wheelway in Petoskey as part of Festival on the Bay. For more information, visit crookedtree.org.