I love this festival! OK, I'll admit that the festival itself isn't all that great, since the food choices aren't that good and there's really not much to it. But to me, that's not the point! Via Colori is where artists from all over come to create art and share it with the rest of the city!
Via Colori is a chalk drawing festival. It only lasts for two days or so, but it's great because the artwork lasts so much longer! It takes place in the late summer, usually in early September over a weekend. It's held around Goodale Park and most of the artwork can be seen down Goodale St. Vendors will line the streets and you can get food and buy some things, including artwork. However, I don't think that the food choices are very good and most of the stuff you can buy is really expensive and there's not that good of a selection. But what's great about this location is that it's very close to downtown and near the bars on Park St., so if you are hungry you can go to a restaurant in the area or, what I've done, is go out and see some of the artwork and then go to the bars afterwards in the evening. There's also live music in all different varieties.
I don't usually get excited about art, but this stuff takes some enormous talent that I can't help but admire. Artists will pick a square on the sidewalk and sit down with their chalk and go to work. You'd be amazed at some of the stuff they can do with that chalk! And there's something nostalgic about sidewalk chalk art. It reminds me of the days when I used to draw pictures on the sidewalk as a kid. Man, some of this artwork is really beautiful. And it's so neat because you can just walk by and watch these people going to work creating these pictures. And the art is there, free for anyone to see. And days after the festival is over, you can walk down Goodale and see all the pictures. It's great because they are all done by different people and each one is so unique. Every square of the sidewalk is a treat to look at, and it's stays that way until the first rain. But oh my gosh is it sad to think about the fact that rain washes that all away!
Via Colori is actually a national thing, done in only a handful of other cities across the country. It's also a fundraising event, and you can sponsor an artist to do their art. The money all goes to charity. The best part is that anyone can sign up to do a square. The fun isn't just for artists. And you can do a square with a friend or a team or your family. Several people can work together. Sometimes you'll see several people huddled around their square hard at work. It really fun to watch, but I also love coming back from the bars later at night and walking down the street to see all the artwork.
Via Colori is so unique and so much fun. It's like an art show with a childish twist and I absolutely love it. It is some art that I can get excited about! And it's really fun to take kids to see. read more
