Jumped into a Splash of Color at the 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival

2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Nov. 17, 2013
2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Nov. 17, 2013
2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Nov. 17, 2013

Chalk artists fascinate me. Pavement is their canvass as they create stunning works of art taking anywhere between a day to a week to create yet they can easily walk away from it and let Mother Nature – or a power washer – take care of it. Today was the fifth day of the 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival and with one day left in the event I thought I’d mosey on up to see what was created this year.

Artist Tracy Lee Stum during the 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Florida, Nov. 17, 2013
Artist Tracy Lee Stum during the 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Florida, Nov. 17, 2013

I figured arriving by 10:30 a.m. would allow crowd-free time to enjoy the 2-D and 3-D street art. Boy, was I wrong! Crowds were thick and it seemed as though you needed to push your way through in order to get a good glimpse of the 3-D work. Yeah, I know. Good for the festival and Sarasota but not so good for enjoying the art.

Shadows during the 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Florida, Nov. 17, 2013
Shadows during the 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Florida, Nov. 17, 2013

I’m not very aggressive when it comes to crowds so I really didn’t see all the 3-D chalk art as it should be enjoyed. While in line to see the piece by Tracy Lee Stum, a woman behind me was commenting on all the smartphone photos being taken and the lost of “appreciating the moment.” Unfortunately, in order to appreciate the art, I needed to snap photos so I could look and enjoy them later without the crowds.

"We Can Do It" 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Florida, Nov. 17, 2013
“We Can Do It” 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Florida, Nov. 17, 2013

Now in its seventh season, the Sarasota Chalk Festival attracts more than 500 artists from around the world and has gained attention as one of the country’s top chalk festivals. Taking place in Sarasota’s Burns Square District, this year’s theme is “Legacy of Valor.”

"Legacy of Valor" was the Theme for the 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Fla., Nov. 17, 2013
“Legacy of Valor” was the Theme for the 2013 Sarasota Chalk Festival, Fla., Nov. 17, 2013

Will I attend next year? Absolutely! It’s worth wading through the crowds to see these disposable masterpieces created.

More than 500 Artists from Around the World Participate in the Annual Sarasota Chalk Festival, Fla., Nov. 17, 2013
More than 500 Artists from Around the World Participate in the Annual Sarasota Chalk Festival, Fla., Nov. 17, 2013

Enjoy my additional images of the Sarasota Chalk Festival on my Flickr account.

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Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

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