Masterpieces in chalk

The sidewalk around Courthouse Square was scattered with children on their hands and knees with all colors of chalk on Saturday.

Their brows were scrunched, showing the intensity of their focus. They drew no hopscotch outlines. Instead, the winners of the annual "Chalk-In" filled large squares of the concrete with flowers, their versions of classic paintings and their favorite animals.

The Chalk-In was part of 61st Annual Kings County Art League Spring Art Festival held over Mother's Day weekend at Courthouse Square. Also at the festival was the Art League's open exhibit. About 120 watercolors, acrylics, ceramics, photographs and other media were submitted and judged on Saturday and will remain on display in the park through 4 p.m. today.

On Saturday morning, Crystal Allen, 12, perfected a red heart containing Peanuts' Snoopy and Lucy for her entry for the Chalk-In. Allen said she often does chalk drawings on the sidewalk in her backyard at home and her work has earned awards at several of the previous Chalk-Ins.

Kelsey Reed, 13, was covered in gray chalk as she completed the shadowing of her drawing of two wolves by smudging the color with the palm of her hand. Reed last year, and this year, earned second place in her age division.

Reed's mom, Sandra Verboon-Reed, said her daughter is always sketching and carries a drawing pad with her everywhere she goes. Sandra added that she always has to exercise caution entering the driveway, because her daughter often has the sidewalk beautified with her art work.

Several yards north of the chalk artist, local residents viewed the submitted pieces for the adult exhibit. Selected entries from the pieces will be on display at the Kings Art Center's Marcellus Gallery from Saturday through June 15. An opening awards program and reception for the "Art From The Park" exhibit will be open to the public at the art center from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday.

Claire Ftiauzi, president of the Kings County Art League, said she was pleased with Saturday's turnout, especially the variety of submitted mediums.

"There are a lot of ceramics," Ftiauzi said. "It's nice to have sculpture to look at."

First place winners of the Chalk-In

* Age 5 and under: Ainsley Ring

* Age 7 and 8: Kristen Measell

* Age 8 and 9: Haley Bettancourt

* Age 10 and 11: Asia Blevins

* Age 12 and 13: Kylee Drennen

* Age 14 to 18: Myra Zamora

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(May 11, 2007)