Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk 2017

Jessi Queen, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Jessi Queen, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017

Each year I write about the Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk, I’m tempted to say the art is better than it’s ever been. Looking at the art included here (and that not included), it’s easy to see the source of the temptation. But then, there have been many amazing drawings in previous years, so maybe it’s best to say it continues to maintain the very high standards it has set for itself.

Alyssa Chavez and Alex Sabau, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017-2.CR2
Bearden High School Chapter One, National Art Honor Society, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Carla Christiansen, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017

This year’s event featured more artists than ever before and it felt that way, with artists spread from the Market Square stage to the southern end of Krutch Park, lining both sides of the square, filling the park and spilling over to the sidewalk on the opposite side of Market Street. And the crowds were as big as any I remember, filling the square to the point of making it difficult to simply walk through, let alone get a very good look at the art. The best viewing may have been around 7:00 PM – when the awards were distributed and the event ended.

Cathryn Bozone, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017

It is one of our best events in so many ways and I’m very happy that this year it didn’t compete with any other major downtown events, as it has in the past. The years when the weather is good – and it was pretty good this year – families gather to render their artistic statements, as do friends and single artists and people of all ages. Welcoming to novices, as well as professionals, it’s at once both fun and a serious competition.

Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Cody Swaggerty, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Curtis Glover, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Elizabeth Lynch and Jerry Lewis, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017

Presented each year by Dogwood Arts and managed by Oak Ridge artist, Jim Dodson and Kathy Slocum, it’s a great time to be on the square. I also appreciate that it enlivens the square in the days that follow as people seek out the art until it has completely faded.

Fawne DeRosia, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Gibbs H.S. Art Club, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Halls High School Art Club, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Jennifer Wolery and Stephanie Hacker, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017

I took these photographs Saturday evening and Sunday morning. I tried to label the artists, but some of the names were missing when I got to them. Some of the drawings were also damaged beyond the point that they seemed worth photographing. Additionally, some of them extended beyond what I’ve shown, but were cropped for the photographs.

Kat Lyon and Touranne Nguyen, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Lauryn Darby, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Ryne Sandberg, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017
Zachary Herndon, Chalk Walk, Knoxville, April 2017

I’ve included some that struck me and for which the photographs turned out well, but there are many other excellent drawings. I’ll have my full 120 photograph collection, which contains virtually all of the drawings, on the Inside of Knoxville Facebook page later today. You’ll find a list of winners here.