The Palatka Chalk Explosion is preparing for its third annual street painting event, “Visions of Well-Being”. On April 11^th , the streets of downtown Palatka will once again be transform into a public art gallery with chalk paintings. The Chalk Explosion will be located on the 300-400 blocks of St. Johns Avenue. Everybody is invited to participate in this free day of art, music and more.

The event is a part of the Arts Council of Greater Palatka’s continued mission to promote and increase exposure to the arts. The 2015 Palatka Chalk Explosion will be themed “Visions of Well-being”. The theme is fitting to the cause. One of the Arts Council’s biggest tasks is to bring awareness to the connection of creative outlets with physical and mental health. Palatka Chalk Explosion Chairman, Luke Taft, stresses that the annual street chalking event is not just for artists. Everybody is encouraged to participate. Persons with disabilities, unable to access the street or sidewalk, will be able to participate through a limited number of upright chalking stations. Chalk will be provided by the Arts Council. The Palatka Chalk Explosion Co-Chairman, Kala Davis, has been instrumental in organizing the event for the past two years and helped to develop guidelines and planning.

 A large part of the event is a competition that is divided into categories for inexperienced artists, professionals, and youth. All categories will be juried and awards will be given in the form of cash and gift cards. Competitors will be judged on their relevance to the theme, aesthetic value, and presentation. “Visions of Well-being” could include images of anything related to well-being. This could include health, ecological preservation, fitness, education, and the list goes on and on. Participants should be creative in expressing these ideas and remember that images have the ability express ideas in a profoundly powerful way. Keep in mind the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words”. A visual expression has a unique power to change the way a viewer thinks and participants in this public art venue have the opportunity help to change our society for the better.

This year the Chalk Explosion will feature professional chalk artists Nancy Naulty, Tim Ritter, and Beth Shistle. All three are accomplished chalk artists and will add a learning experience for amateur competitors.

Competitors must turn in an entry form that includes a sketch of their proposed composition. The form is available on the Arts Councils website, artsinputnam.org or at home of the Arts Council, The Larimer Arts Center, 216 Reid Street in Palatka. Competition registration is due by April 9th.

The Palatka Chalk Explosion is about much more than the competition. Chalk will be available for anyone who wants to add to the street gallery. Last year’s event turned out over 100 individual chalk masterpieces from professional competitors to toddlers whose hands were barely large enough to grasp a stick of sidewalk chalk. Entire families joined in the celebration and experience of creating public art. Live music throughout the day will add to the artistic environment and provide additional entertainment. Watching the chalking in progress is entertainment in itself as well.

Street chalking events have become very popular and the Arts Council is excited in their success with bringing the Palatka Chalk Explosion to Putnam County. Other than the benefits of providing the artistic outlet, increasing exposure to the arts, and promoting well-being through creativity, the Chalk Explosion adds one more reason for people to visit Palatka and realize what it has to offer. The Palatka Chalk Explosion is also reaching out to local businesses who would like to show their support in the powerful cause of this event. Promotional chalking is available to sponsors of this event. A business can even have their logo chalked to prominently display their support. Information about sponsorship or donations can be found at artsinputnam.org. or by calling the Arts Council at (386) 328-8998.

The Arts Council of Greater Palatka’s Executive Director, Denise Aiken, said of the event, “As Executive Director of the Arts Council I would like to thank all those who have participated in our past Chalk Explosions. I am excited to see this years talent come out and make the streets of Palatka a colorful gallery of art for all to see.  This event makes you feel good and gives everyone the chance to create public art.  I would also like to thank those who have given support to this growing event.”

The Palatka Chalk Explosion’s top sponsors play a big role in making this celebration of color and expression possible. The Putnam County Tourist Development Council, Seminole Electric Cooperative Inc., Miracle Signs and Designs, Putnam Community Medical Center, The St Augustine Chalk Walk, and many other local businesses realize the importance of this event and have shown generous support. The Arts Council is supported in part by its members, State of Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, and The Putnam County Tourist Development Council.