The Madonnari

The madonnari or street painters are artists who bring a unique form of performance art to Santa Barbara every Memorial Day Weekend.  Their medium is chalk, and they only have three days to finish their work.  I always make it a point to go see the finished product early Tuesday morning when the crowds are gone.  These beautiful (but sadly temporary) pieces always astound and delight.  For someone like me who can barely draw a stick figure, I don't know how they do it!

In 1972 the town of Grazie di Curtatone in Italy revived this 500 year old  form of art by establishing a festival called I Madonnari.  It has grown into an international competition, which is held every August during the Feast of the Assumption.  In Italy only traditional Renaissance themes can be reproduced in chalk and the paintings are done in a 24-hour period.  Here in Santa Barbara, our chalk festival has no such limitations on theme and it is strictly a fundraiser for the Children's Creative Project, a non-profit organization which brings art education to county schools.

Santa Barbara can thank Kurt Wenner for bringing the chalk festival to Santa Barbara.  In 1986 he held the first festival in front of the mission.  It was so popular it's been an annual event ever since.  If you ever get the chance to see one of Wenner's chalk drawings, GO!  They are unbelievable.  He uses a 3-D technique that makes the drawings rise from or fall into the concrete.  He is the first American to win the top prize at the Grazie di Curtatone competition.

Today, there are hundreds of these festivals all over the United States.  The most noteworthy ones are in Sarasota, Denver and Lake Worth, Florida.  I highly recommend seeking one out.  The chalk drawings are simply amazing!