September 13, 2017
CONTACT: Lindsey Wiles
Communications Manager
lwiles@mariettaga.gov
770.794.5509
MARIETTA - The Chalktoberfest theme is “Bring your A-Game” and will feature over 90 professional chalk artists from around the US, Italy, Ukraine, Mexico and Canada. Artists will dazzle spectators from 10a.m. to 5 p.m. during the two day event. Featured chalk artists include but are not limited to, the world renowned Tracy Lee Stum who has won numerous awards and written her own book entitled The Art of Chalk. Vera Bugatti from Italy has been featured in several books including Sidewalk Canvas, Street Art, and the Art of Chalk. Valentina Sforzini from Italy has also competed in festivals all over the world, won numerous events, and in 2010 and 2012 won first place in the Sarasota Chalk festival where she was featured in a documentary about the “Street Painting World”. These three plus many more award winning and established professional artists bring the street to life!
On Saturday Oct. 14th only, Chalktoberfest includes the annual Craft Beer Festival, with a selection of more than 100 different craft beers. The Craft Beer Festival allows visitors to walk around and enjoy the chalk art while drinking samples. MCMA encourages guests to visit local restaurants and talk to professional artists from around the country as they create their masterpieces. Enjoy live music all day and an after-hours concert in the Park featuring Doug Cameron and his 17 piece Orchestra. Go to the Chalktoberfest Website to purchase concert tables and craft beer tickets. www.chalktoberfest.com
On Sunday, Oct.15th beginning at 10am, Chalktoberfest kicks off the Creative Kids Craft-making Competition for children of all ages. It is a non-professional Chalk Competition with Youth, Teen, School, and Adult Divisions. Winners will be announced at 3:00pm. The professional chalk area will be available to view until 8:00pm Sunday night.
“Chalktoberfest enables us to fulfill our mission of ‘Building Community Through Art’ and we have been overwhelmed by the positive response from the community with regards to what we are presenting,” states Sally Macaulay, Executive Director of MCMA. “MCMA anticipates a record turn out once again in 2017.”
The 2016 Chalktoberfest was awarded Festival of the Year by Cobb Life Magazine, having brought in over 70,000 visitors and resulting in an economic impact of over 5.2 million dollars. Additionally, Chalktoberfest was awarded the Mayor’s Art Award for the City of Marietta and Event of the Year through Cobb Travel and Tourism in 2016. Admission to MCMA is free for the duration of the festival.