Same Great Art Show & ChalkFest, Excellent New Venue

MAFAto host 55^th Celebrate the Arts Show and ChalkFest on Oct. 5 inStation Square “Art Changes the World”

Changingvenue but by no means changing the quality and ingenuity of its prize-winningartists, Monrovia Association of Fine Arts will once again host its annual FineArts Show and ChalkFest in the park—in Station Square Park, to be exact. Co-hostedby the City of Monrovia, the event will feature more than 40 fine artists and25 chalk artists to dazzle passersby on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Formerly heldin Library Park, this event’s new Station Square location offers great festivalamenities (picnic areas, new band shell, the historic Santa Fe Depot) as wellas easy access from neighborhoods, the 210 freeway and the Gold Line. Itfeatures wide open walkways for the many Fine Arts booths and perfect chalkspace under the modern, multi-faceted patio cover just west of the historicSanta Fe Depot building. More chalk art will appear on the sidewalks next tothe long water features that parallel the Gold Line tracks.

Returningfrom their prize-winning turns at MAFA’s last ChalkFest are Leo Aguirre andPatti Llovera. Leo also won prizes (Most Inspirational and Best of SilentAuction) at this year’s prestigious Pasadena Chalk Festival, as did NuriaMartinez (Best Rendition of a Masterpiece), a new MAFA ChalkFest artist.

This year’sshow theme, “Art Changes the World,” was chosen by Featured Artist Anko Chang. Anko is a talented fine artist and oilpainter. Growing up in Taiwan, she has been painting since the age of 4,participating in many competitions (and often winning them) and staying activein the art community since early childhood. She has been around the world withher paintings, most recently gifting a piece to the City of Xi’an, China,symbolizing friendship between Taiwan and China. Anko graduated from UCLAwith a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and is currently working on her Master ofFine Arts degree at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She sits on theMAFA board and volunteers her time to help further creativity and artseducation in Monrovia and the surrounding area.

In additionto Anko’s display, 39 other booths will feature oil and watercolor painting,metal sculpture, Native American-inspired pottery and other ceramics, dichroicglass jewelry, hand cut and shaped metal jewelry with precious stones, and high-endartistic woodworking.

Visitors canlook for the fresh eyes and creativity of artists from three high schools atthis show: Mr. Sal Perez will bring his Monrovia High School Ceramics Class todisplay and sell their artwork and demonstrate their skill with a live potterywheel demonstration. Six students from Canyon Oaks High School will createchalk artwork as will Mr. Matthew McMullen’s 16-student Public Art Class andfive more students from California School of the Arts in Duarte.

The nonstop musicalentertainment, food trucks and kids and teen art activities will add even moreenjoyable dimensions to the experience. Admission is free and visitors should stopthat day at the MAFA information booth at the Depot Building to pick up anEvent Guide. For more info, contact Christine Geltz atchristine@monroviafinearts.org (626) 483-0560.

MAFA thanks Air-TroInc as Title Event Sponsor for their generous support. MAFA also appreciatesthe support of Samuelson and Fetter for the use of the Santa Fe Depot buildingand patio. The Monrovia Rotary Club, G Smile Care, Curves Monrovia and FoothillFederal Credit Union round out the event’s general sponsor list.

ChalkFestprize sponsors include Adams & Barnes, Chicago Title, Hal Leaven, WonderDog Ranch and Ward Service. And it’s hip to be square: Many thanks to our ChalkSquare Sponsors including The Bubbly Grandma, Lemon Drop Cookie Shop, Hands 2Health Wellness Clinic, Alex Di Peppe Restaurant and the Monrovia High SchoolAlumni Association. These companies’ support helps to foster the arts and arteducation in our community.

The Monrovia Association of Fine Arts is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its Mission: Enhance the lives of those within our community through interaction with the arts. Increase the opportunities of our children through art education.

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