This month, ArtStarts will swing open its doors with a lively art-making event to transform the gray concrete city sidewalk in front of its new gallery into a splash of colour and images. Chalk it Up! will see 120 students spill onto Richards St in Vancouver to create a playful community map using a childhood favourite medium: chalk.

Students at four different Vancouver schools representing grades 1 through 7 have been busy preparing for the event with the guidance of artist-in-residence Sean George.

Before hitting the pavement, students learned all about maps — from street maps to the mapping art form. They learned that maps are a way to represent and interpret the world and that art often contains an element of discovery or surprise. Students explored symbols noting that place names often reflect geography as in the case of The Lions in North Vancouver or Emerald Lake north of Whistler. They learned the important role of colour-coding. They even gained insight into the Great Bear map by artist Simon Patterson, who re-named each of the London Tube stations with famous people names (Surprise! The tube looks like a constellation).

In class, they cut out vinyl symbols and connectors such as arrows, footprints and railway lines and made pathways through the school halls. They experimented with chalking techniques — drawing shadows, outlining with pastels, and using old toothbrushes for a fuzzy effect. When they were ready, and the weather cooperated, they practiced in the school yard.

All the children are ready to roll, and on the big day, with banners and balloons fluttering as backdrop, they will chalk up the sidewalk in front of ArtStarts’ new gallery to surprise the urban lunchtime crowd with youthful creativity.

This celebratory end of school-year event serves as a sneak preview to ArtStarts’ new gallery and resource center, which officially opens in September. More importantly, it serves as a joyful reminder of the vital role young artists have in our schools and communities. Opus is pleased to support this unique project with a donation of pastels and chalk.

ArtStarts In Schools provides innovative arts programs for young people, practical resources for teachers and artists, and leadership in advocacy for arts in education. ArtStarts envisions a society where the arts are regarded as an essential part of educating young people and a catalyst for creating innovative, engaged and contributing members of society. ArtStarts thanks the City of Vancouver’s Cultural Amenity Bonus program, a farsighted community program providing space for arts and cultural institutions throughout the city.

Chalk it Up! takes place June 13th, from 11am–2pm in front of ArtStarts new gallery and resource center at 808 Richards St in Vancouver. For more information on ArtStarts programs or Chalk it Up!, go to www.artstarts.com