MAFA to host 55th Celebrate the Arts Show and ChalkFest on Oct. 5 in Station Square “Art Changes the World”
Changing venue but by no means changing the quality and ingenuity of its prize-winning artists, Monrovia Association of Fine Arts will once again host its annual Fine Arts Show and ChalkFest in the park—in Station Square Park, to be exact. Co-hosted by the City of Monrovia, the event will feature more than 40 fine artists and 25 chalk artists to dazzle passersby on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Formerly held in Library Park, this event’s new Station Square location offers great festival amenities (picnic areas, new band shell, the historic Santa Fe Depot) as well as easy access from neighborhoods, the 210 freeway and the Gold Line. It features wide open walkways for the many Fine Arts booths and perfect chalk space under the modern, multi-faceted patio cover just west of the historic Santa Fe Depot building. More chalk art will appear on the sidewalks next to the long water features that parallel the Gold Line tracks.
Returning from their prize-winning turns at MAFA’s last ChalkFest are Leo Aguirre and Patti Llovera. Leo also won prizes (Most Inspirational and Best of Silent Auction) at this year’s prestigious Pasadena Chalk Festival, as did Nuria Martinez (Best Rendition of a Masterpiece), a new MAFA ChalkFest artist.
This year’s show theme, “Art Changes the World,” was chosen by Featured Artist Anko Chang. Anko is a talented fine artist and oil painter. Growing up in Taiwan, she has been painting since the age of 4, participating in many competitions (and often winning them) and staying active in the art community since early childhood. She has been around the world with her paintings, most recently gifting a piece to the City of Xi’an, China, symbolizing friendship between Taiwan and China. Anko graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and is currently working on her Master of Fine Arts degree at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She sits on the MAFA board and volunteers her time to help further creativity and arts education in Monrovia and the surrounding area.
In addition to Anko’s display, 39 other booths will feature oil and watercolor painting, metal sculpture, Native American-inspired pottery and other ceramics, dichroic glass jewelry, hand cut and shaped metal jewelry with precious stones, and high-end artistic woodworking.
Visitors can look for the fresh eyes and creativity of artists from three high schools at this show: Mr. Sal Perez will bring his Monrovia High School Ceramics Class to display and sell their artwork and demonstrate their skill with a live pottery wheel demonstration. Six students from Canyon Oaks High School will create chalk artwork as will Mr. Matthew McMullen’s 16-student Public Art Class and five more students from California School of the Arts in Duarte.
The nonstop musical entertainment, food trucks and kids and teen art activities will add even more enjoyable dimensions to the experience. Admission is free and visitors should stop that day at the MAFA information booth at the Depot Building to pick up an Event Guide. For more info, contact Christine Geltz at christine@monroviafinearts.org (626) 483-0560.
MAFA thanks Air-Tro Inc as Title Event Sponsor for their generous support. MAFA also appreciates the support of Samuelson and Fetter for the use of the Santa Fe Depot building and patio. The Monrovia Rotary Club, G Smile Care, Curves Monrovia and Foothill Federal Credit Union round out the event’s general sponsor list.
ChalkFest prize sponsors include Adams & Barnes, Chicago Title, Hal Leaven, Wonder Dog Ranch and Ward Service. And it’s hip to be square: Many thanks to our Chalk Square Sponsors including The Bubbly Grandma, Lemon Drop Cookie Shop, Hands 2 Health Wellness Clinic, Alex Di Peppe Restaurant and the Monrovia High School Alumni Association. These companies’ support helps to foster the arts and art education 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.
