2018 was the first year that the Chalkfest Buffalo and Art Show was held at the waterfront. RiverWorks played host to the incredible event. The venue turned out to be the perfect location for just such a showing, mainly due to the myriad canvases that were made available to the artists. From chalking the riverside boardwalk, to canvasing the innards of the silos, chalk artists of all ages and abilities had a grand old time creating Halloween-themed drawings (see gallery below).
Chalkfest advocate Josh Ketry, who was one of the proponents behind moving the event to RiverFest, had this to say about the event:
Isn’t there is something remarkable about chalk art? A huge amount of effort goes into making the design but it is only temporary. Since after the next rain or power washing the designs will all disappear. Like those colorful sand mandalas the Tibetan Buddhist monks work tirelessly to create only to purposely destroy them. It reminds us that everything is changing and nothing is permanent. The lack of permanence is beauty and profound in itself and re-centers us – helping us to live with love and kindness for each other in each moment.
Once the monolithic grain silos of Buffalo were a center for industry. Then, when industry died they were left abandoned. But their state was not left permanent. They arose as giant canvases for an amazing art festival. The pyramids of Buffalo became a focal point once again. And there is beauty in that lack of permanence, too.
A HUGE thank you to everyone who made the 2018 ChalkFest at Buffalo’s waterfront a success. To Buffalo RiverWorks and its amazing staff for providing an insanely cool venue. To all of the super talented artists and vendors who came out to display their creations. To Zach Casey for pushing yet another awesome idea to the next level. To Jeremy Miklas at Vivid Buffalo for the design help. And to S. Donald Warfe, the original creator of the event who passed the torch to RiverWorks this year.
We have some awesome ideas already to improve it next year – from added kids’ activities, to entertainment, and better signage for the vendor side of things… and maybe some chalk artists in new locations (as the event grows), to bigger prizes, and more national talents brought in. We are always trying to improve, and are always willing to take risks to make events in Buffalo possible. We appreciate all the support we received this weekend.
Thanks again for making this first one with us a super success!