Chalk Art Is Welcome at Local La Dolce Vita Festival

While most artists opt to use a canvas to create their works of art, those who prefer to draw with chalk like the pavement.

In fact, chalk painting and chalking is openly done on city streets and sidewalks around the world, and right here in our city. And some people take it so seriously that they compete in contests around the world. 

However, as Patch , chalking on a public street in Laguna Niguel is not allowed. City Manager Tim Casey says the city does have an ordinance that generally prohibits the defacing of public property.

"As a practical matter, the city has never taken any enforcement action with respect to children using chalk to draw on a city street or sidewalk, since the chalk is easily removed by property owners and/or Mother Nature." 

You can read the ordinance 

Also, we asked in a poll: 

Are sidewalk chalk drawings by children considered graffiti?

1. No, they are works of art. 61 (88%)

2. Yes, it is defacing property if it's in a public area. 8 (11%)

• Total votes: 69

Some neighborhoods, such as one in Colorado, have reported that chalking by kids is wrong and to their HOAs hoping to get the practice banned. 

But there is a place where chalk artists can feel free to create until their hearts content says resident Ron Perella, who is also the president of the upcoming La Dolce Vita Festival Oct. 6-7 in Laguna Niguel.

When Perrella read the story on Patch he said: "Send the kids to the La Dolce Vita Italian Festival on Oct 6 and 7. The Italians have always been known for their creativity in architecture, music and art so it is no surprise that one of the places they love to display their talents is with Madonnari "Italian Chalk Art" which appears wherever there is an Italian Festa!"

Madonnari, named after the Madonna whose image has been painted on canvas, paper and since 1973, when street painting was being promoted in Italy by the formation of a festival in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. 

"So wherever you find an Italian Festival the chances are great that you will also discover the talents displayed by young and old artists applying their talents in chalk on the festival street," he said. "And so it was at the 2011 Laguna Niguel La Dolce Vita Italian Festival and will again be displayed  at the 2012 La Dolce Vita Italian Festival. There you'll find children next to adults getting chalk all over themselves but smiling because it is their desire to have the public enjoy street art."

He sent in these photos above from last year's event, a true highlight of the two-day affair.  

Last year, was the first time for the event, and it attracted thousands to our city for a little taste of Italy. It's the kind of place where you can have a "Lucy" moment in the grape stomp. Feel like Lady and the Tramp in the spaghetti eating contest, or just stroll through the festival enjoying the breathtaking art work of the chalk artists.

Incidentally, it was in Britain where street painting started back in the 1800s. The artists are called "screevers." In Germany, they are called Strassenmaler (street: straßen, painter: maler).

If you want to know more about chalking at La Dolce Vita Italian Festival, visit the event website here.