A Day Full of Art, Music, and Fun at Chalk-A-Block!
Thank you to everyone who came out to Chalk-A-Block on Sunday, September 29th! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! A special thank you to Councilwoman (and Mayoral Candidate) Alyia Gaskins and Council Member Sarah Bagley, who took time out of their busy schedules to visit Chalk-A-Block. Councilwoman Gaskins stopped by with her whole family and even took the opportunity to create some chalk art with her son.
Councilwoman Alyia Gaskins and her son at Made in ALX (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Chalk Art
The chalk art created by the artists was as amazing and unique as the artists themselves. From fall-themed creations to vibrant animals to abstract art to a portrait gallery of Chalk-A-Block visitors, every site promised something different. And there were plenty of kids getting in on the chalk fun!
Art by Genesis Babatunde (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Art by Vanessa Vale (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Art by Patrick Kirwin (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Art by Michael Price (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Art by Kristin Neubauer (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Dina Wise creating chalk portraits of Chalk-A-Block visitors (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Music
The incredible talent of Alexandria’s local music scene was on full display at Chalk-A-Block. Music filled the air in Old Town North and, along with the Caspian Tern’s chalk footprints, helped guide visitors from site to site.
Maddie Cantrell (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
The Frontier (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Alejandro Villareal and Bridgett Nesfield (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Alex Alavi (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Mars Rodeo, art by Nicole Flag (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Local Artists/Makers
Local artists and makers set up their tables at Chalk-A-Block with a diverse array of offerings. Kathryn O’Neill of Sheridan Ceramics displayed her beautiful ceramics at Hotel AKA. It was Kathryn’s first time selling her work to the public, and she happily reported that she made her very first sales at Chalk-A-Block!
Kathryn O’Neill of Sheridan Ceramics at Hotel AKA (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Mobile Art Lab 2.0
Diane Ruggiero of the Office of the Arts brought the Mobile Art Lab 2.0 to Old Town North so visitors to Chalk-A-Block could make rubbings of the artist-designed stormwater covers in the neighborhood. If you haven’t already checked out the stormwater covers, you can find more information about them here:
https://www.alexandriava.gov/public-art/project/old-town-north-artist-designed-stormwater-covers
Diane Ruggiero helps a young visitor (image courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)
Scavenger Hunt Results
Many of our Chalk-A-Block visitors participated in our first ever Scavenger Hunt! Congratulations to Karen Katz, who won our Grand Prize of a gift certificate for dinner for two at Hotel AKA’s a.lounge+bar (up to $100 value), generously donated by Hotel AKA.
Thank yous
A huge thank you to all of the extremely talented artists, musicians, and artists/makers who made Chalk-A-Block such a special event! Chalk artists: Daniella Rueda, Genesis Babatunde, Elissa Jones, Jacelyn Orellana, Dina Wise, Nandini Kirwin, Vanessa Vale, Margaret Wohler, Michael Price, Kristin Neubauer, Nicole Flag, and Patrick Kirwin. Musicians: Maddie Cantrell, The Frontier, jazz guitarist Alejandro Villareal accompanied by vocalist Bridgett Nesfield, Alex Alavi, and Mars Rodeo. Artists/makers: Sheridan Ceramics, Farenheit99 Candles, Stephen Lally Ceramics, Courtney Justice Art & Design, Old Town Mysteries, Glow Body & Spa, and Apothecary Spices.
Finally, another huge thank you to our partners for helping to host Chalk-A-Block: Hotel AKA, Made in ALX, Royal Restaurant, The Art League, Canal Center Events, Alexandria House, Simpson Development, Venue, Oak Steakhouse, Old Town North Community Partnership, and the City of Alexandria.