The Porter County Courthouse received a vibrant makeover Saturday morning at the Family & Youth Services Bureau’s second annual Chalk the Walk. Artists toting chalk, spray bottles, and paintbrushes flocked to the sidewalks around the courthouse. Over 150 artists went to work crushing chalk and mixing colors to bring their designs to colorful life.
“Businesses, individuals, whoever wants to be part of the activity can buy a square and sponsor artists to create art,” said Lisa Jordan, CEO and President of Family & Youth Services Bureau.
The fundraiser benefits the Family & Youth Services Bureau both by generating revenue and raising awareness. Local businesses also profit from the publicity created by the colorful sidewalk squares. The artistic community also enjoys the opportunity to create public art in the heart of downtown Valparaiso.
“We have 20 more squares of art being created this year, as well as lots of kids activities like freestyle chalk for kids under 12 in designated area, story circles [organized by the Valparaiso Public Library], face painting, caricature drawing, and an appearance by Clifford The Big Red Dog,” said event organizer Jackie Gray, Director of Development and Communication at Family & Youth Services Bureau.
The focus on family friendly fun and children’s activities meshed seamlessly with the Family & Youth Services Bureau’s mission.
“This event is really about families coming out and having some fun together,” explained Jordan. “We serve children and families, so we want to make sure that whatever we do is for family and children to grow stronger bonds.”
Walking around the Courthouse Square, one could see these bonds forming. Children and adults worked on squares together. Friends teamed up to paint intricately detailed designs. Artists of every age and background came together to share the love of creative expression while supporting an agency that is crucial to the community.
“It all benefits the agency, and we’re able to provide reduced and free services to the community for families that are at risk in crisis,” said Jordan. “We’re a social service agency that helps almost 20 individual programs that all serve families that are in some kind of need to supportive services.”
With their art, the artists are able to support the community two-fold; they raise funds for the Family & Youth Services Bureau while also creating an environment of culture and free expression.
“It’s a nice community get-together event,” said local artist Tracy Reff. “It draws a lot of public attention, and it’s officially doing chalk artwork on the sidewalk for people to see. It’s something that not a lot of us get to do after we’re kids. The community feedback is instantaneous and usually pretty positive.”
While Chalk the Walk may be about families, it also relies on the art.
“The artwork has gotten more intricate, more detailed, and more professional every year,” said Jordan. “It’s just beautiful.”
“We should keep doing this sort of thing,” said Reff. “It’s fun!”
"I think chalk the walk benefits the community by giving people a chance to show off some amazing artwork and it helps family and youth services which is awesome!" said Marin Hilbrich, artist for Ideas in Motion Media. "As an artist I don't usually use chalk, but it's actually really amazing the things you can do with it, it gives me a chance to use a different medium!"
Marin Hilbrich, Jenny Craig, and Shawn Barnes created the square for Ideas In Motion Media. Check it out in the photo gallery!
