Chalk Art, Painted Pianos and Elephants for the Arts on Main Street

Information from the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council:

Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council (PCAC) will host a city-wide arts celebration on May 11, 2013 where artists of all ages and ability will have the opportunity to display their talents with chalk designs on the streets of downtown Pleasanton. 

Event details are as follows:

• Saturday, May 11, 2013; 11am – 5pm
• Professional street artists drawing on Division Street, between Main Street and Railroad Ave.
• Kids and Family “Chalk the Walk”; street squares available to the public for $20, includes box of chalk
• Variety of special events and liver performances

“This is a first-of-its-kind event for Pleasanton,” says PCAC president Jill Vellinger.  “We’re providing an opportunity for professional artists, as well as amateur artists of any age, to share their creativity and help us celebrate the richness that arts bring to our lives. The Big Draw will bring explosions of color to Pleasanton through the work of gifted sidewalk chalk artists, children and families.”

The Big Draw will be the culmination of a week of various arts-related events that include the availability of uniquely painted pianos along Main Street for people to play the week of May 5.  In addition to the chalk artists drawing for the public on May 11, festivities include live performances of dance troupes, rock and orchestral music, improv comedy, The Big Draw Art Contest, Elephants for the Arts Rummage and Crafts Sale, Authors Row and more.
 
“All proceeds from this event will benefit our Arts in the Schools Grant program,” adds Vellinger.  “We are very excited about The Big Draw which we hope will become an annual event for Pleasanton.”

Special Events 

Painted Pianos on Main

Beginning Friday, May 3, downtown Pleasanton’s Main Street will have pianos placed along the street, each painted by students of Pleasanton’s middle schools in unique ways.  The pianos will be available for anyone to play as they wish.

The Big-Draw Art Contest

Cash prizes will be awarded for the three best street chalk art paintings done by emerging, non-professional artists. To enter the contest, artists must be middle school age or older and have their street painting completed by 3:30 pm on May 11 for judging.  Local radio station KKIQ’s Faith Alpher will judge each work of art. Cash prizes are as follows: First Place, $100; Second Place, $50; Third Place, $25.

Elephants for the Arts Rummage and Crafts Sale

Located on Railroad Ave., near the chalk artists will be the Elephants for the Arts Rummage and Crafts Sale, a perfect place to buy a Mother’s Day gift or shop for treasures. The sale includes vendors of new art work, jewelry and crafts, as well as used household items, décor, antiques and the like for sale. All proceeds will benefits arts in the schools.  For details visit The Big Draw website at www.The-Big-Draw.com.

Author/Illustrators Row

Meet nationally published children’s author/illustrators to discuss their works and learn how to become one yourself.

Live Art Demos​ in front of the Museum on Main

Make a Glass Butterfly Workshop with Published Author Elisa Kleven
Attendees will receive an autographed copy of the book, Glasswings: A Butterfly's Story, and make a glass butterfly. $25. Sign up through Towne Center Books, located at Division and Main streets.

Live Performances

An exciting collection of live performances will entertain the public throughout the day on May 11.  Performance stages will be located at the entrance of Division Street on Main Street and in front of the Firehouse Arts Center on Railroad Street. 

Performances include:

• Folkloric Dance Troupe
• Civic Arts Stage Company
• Chinese Dance Troupe
• Creatures of Impulse, Teen Comedy Improve Troupe
• Beat Boys 

For more information about The Big Draw, visit www.the-big-draw.com. Follow The Big Draw on Facebook. To learn more about PCAC visit its website at www.pleasantonarts.org.