Chalk One Up For Art In Our Schools

Joyful laughter, the buzz of running into old friends, the hum of music, and a flurry of chalk dust were in the air at the Old Mission over the three-day holiday weekend. 

An annual benefit for Children’s Creative Project, the 40th annual I’Madonnari festivities raise money for the nonprofit component of the Santa Barbara County Education Office that works tirelessly year-round to bring arts education into public schools countywide through programming that reaches students from preschool through high school, many of whom would otherwise have little or no access to the arts.

This year’s art centerpiece was a “Super Square” collaboration between five street painters, most of whom have been participating in I’Madonnari for decades. 

Internationally recognized chalk artist Marlon Yanes, dubbed the “Pavement Picasso,” was this year’s featured artist, known for pushing the boundaries of street painting with richly detailed, large-scale works.

Free to the public, the three-day festival included live music and performances from groups like Zermeno Dance Academy, Santa Barbara High, San Marcos and La Colina Jazz Bands, the Brasscals, Jackson Gilles, Spencer the Gardener, and Mezcal Martini. 

Proceeds from I Madonnari directly support CCP’s year-round work. For more information see ccp.sbceo.org.