Chalkwalk to reveal Reader’s Chair
Plans for the 2016 Chalkwalk in downtown Jasper are in full swing.
Corina Mack, Program Coordinator and Technical Assistant for the Jasper Arts Department revealed some additions to the popular event during Tuesday night’s Jasper Community Arts Commission meeting.
“I received info from ‘Arts for Learning Indiana’ out of Indianapolis. They have an exciting opportunity for Chalk Walk.” She said, “They’re an organization that gives Indiana students opportunities to engage in empowering art related activities and experiences.”
Their senior director of programs, Ploi Pagdalian, is interested in participating in the Chalkwalk through visual artist Emily Kennerk and her concept called the “Reader’s Chair.” Kennerk partnered with Arts for Learning for the 5×5 competition (find more here http://5x5indy.org/) which Arts for Learning won and received funding for this project.
The Reader’s Chair is a public artwork piece used to mark the site of monthly reading events in which community readers sit and read a passage of their choosing to anyone who wishes to gather and listen. It could also be a talk of the person’s choosing.
According to Mack, the 10-foot tall chair will be designed and built by Indiana Furniture in Jasper. It will be placed in the southwest corner of the downtown Jasper square in front of the Astra Theater to be used during Chalkwalk. The readings begin at 9:00 a.m. during the Chalkwalk, June 4th, and continue through the day at the top of every hour.
Jasper Mayor Terry Seitz has agreed to be one of the six readers. The members of Jasper’s Art Department will choose the remaining five. The Jasper Library will nominate one of the five.
The chair will then be taken to the Indianapolis area where it will rotate among different areas of the city to provide a similar experience.
According to Mack, moving the event to the first Saturday in June seems to have increased participation and attendance. She expects a similar crowd this year and is already preparing for additional sidewalk space to be reserved for an overflow of participants.
They are keeping a close eye on signup numbers and are prepared to extend the Chalkwalk squares to go north to accommodate more artists.
Mack stated that she would seek approval from the Jasper Board of Public Works & Safety for the extension up to 8th Street, if necessary.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, June 4, from 8 am until 3 pm. The rain-out date is set for Saturday, June 11.
Also in the meeting:
-In addition to the Reading Chair, Mack said the planned mural will likely be unveiled in September. The mural “Secret Garden” created by Jesa Townsend of Henderson, Nev., will likely be added to the building at 408 Main St. being turned into an all-day café and brew pub.
-City Attorney Renee Kabrick reported that the City of Jasper is almost ready to enter into a contract with City Property Group. According to Kabrick, they are reviewing the terms of an agreement which would include an appropriation of money to go with the contract.
-Doreen Lechner reported on the LED lights for the Arts Center parking lot on the campus of VUJ. The Arts Board had originally appropriated $15,000 to upgrade the lights to LED fixtures but after an initial set of quotes came in well over that amount, Lechner was asked to seek assistance from the City Electric Distribution Department. They were able to find less expensive lights reducing the price to $8,018.00 from Cape Electric. The board approved the appropriation and was also informed that the city electric department would install them at no charge to the department.
The story originally stated the mural would be revealed at the Chalkwalk; it won’t be completed until September. The story has been corrected.
