North Huntingdon artist part of 5th annual chalk art festival

Everyone can be an artist July 24-25 in Somerset as the annual Chalk the Block festival returns for its fifth year.

Art will cover the sidewalks of Uptown Somerset, courtesy of professional chalk artists, competitions for emerging and youth artists, a mini-mural from Laurel Arts and an open art-making space with buckets of chalk provided.

Food, live music, children’s activities, and a 5K fun run will round out the festivities.

“The festival got started because we were looking for something to demonstrate the personality of our town in summertime,” said Regina Coughenour, executive director of the event sponsor, Somerset Inc. “What’s more inviting, approachable and down-to-earth than chalk? What’s more like Somerset?”

This year’s festival will feature seven professional chalk artists, traveling in from Westmoreland County, Michigan, Ohio and Eastern Pennsylvania. Among them will be Erik Greenawalt, known as “The Chalking Dad,” who was the festival’s first featured professional artist and has returned every year.

Courtesy of Erik Greenawalt

North Huntingdon artist Erik Greenawalt poses with his rendering of the cast of the CBC Television series, “Schitt’s Creek.”

The North Huntingdon artist began by drawing on his driveway for his young daughters. Now a certified master chalk artist in the Florida Chalk Artist Association, he participates in street painting festivals around the country. He teams up with Ohio artist Lori Hughes, who also will be in Somerset, on large-scale “Chalk Monsters” projects.

Other featured artists include Erin Mayak of Somerset, Chris Fry from Ohio, Chris Monaghan from Michigan and Pennsylvanians Jesse Lubera and Erica Lubera.

Getting messy

“Every year, the best part of the festival is that people are so inspired by the pros that they go out and do their own art,” Coughenour said. “For me, the measure of success is seeing people of all different ages getting down on the sidewalk and getting messy with the chalk.”

Throughout the weekend, the Trinity Park stage will offer music, while roaming musicians play around town.

Food trucks from Steel City Chimneys, The Grumbling Gypsy, El Gusto Criollo and Out of the Smoke will be on hand.

Tableland Head Start will host a kids zone on Saturday, with 12 booths offering a variety of chalk activities, from exploding chalk paint to spin art. On Saturday night, a free outdoor showing of the Disney movie, “Inside Out,” is planned in Trinity Park.

Participants in Sunday’s Chalk the Block 5K will be guided by chalk quotes along the course.

Other weekend events include an artisan market at One Free Spirit Boutique, an artist reception at Uptown Works, local business specials and a Kiwanis basket raffle at Somerset Trust Co. on Saturday.

“Ultimately, this event is about bringing out the creative spirit in everyone, nothing fancy, just folks sitting on sidewalks expressing themselves in a messy and beautiful way,” Coughenour said. “We feel really flattered that so many pros love to come to our little town.

“The first year, we had one pro and a handful of kids, and it’s just grown,” she said. “We went from four (pros) last year to seven this year. Seven is a pretty solid chalk festival.”

Chalk creations can be viewed until rain eventually washes them away, Coughenour said.

“Actually, it’s really amazing how long it lasts — especially the professionals’ art,” she said. “Sometimes it’s there months later, a little faded and in a different form.”

For more event information or to register for a chalk art competition, visit somersetinc.org.