Students created chalk art today on the Artpace rooftop during a press event promotion Chalk It Up. Photo by Kevin Femmel
Artpace's 11th annual Chalk It Up will make downtown San Antonio significantly more colorful this weekend by bringing over 20,000 would-be artists of all ages and unleashing their creativity through chalk on the streets.
The event promotes Artpace's educational program and aims to increase art awareness in San Antonio. In that spirit it seems appropriate to make you aware of three particular stand-out artists who will be there. You won't want to miss this trio.
Jimmy James Canales
San Antonio native Jimmy James Canales is known for his eccentric style, defying conventional definitions of performance art. In his art Canales attempts to bring childhood fantasies of going on great adventures to life and often accomplishes this thanks to his signature, unorthodox approach. Be aware of your surroundings while viewing one of his installations because there is a good chance Canales is hidden among the art itself. No installation is safe as James becomes an integral part of his art, a practice that supposedly led him to romance a cactus once. Canales is currently using Artpace's downtown office as his base of operations, crafting a constantly evolving durational performance installation that is the probably the most experimental art gallery you'll ever witness.
Adriana Corral
Corral's art couldn't be more different than the work of Canales. This El Paso born artist focuses on social issues through minimalism, often also using religious themes that stem from being raised in a Catholic family. Her installations use a wide variety of materials, from ceramics and wood to court documents and soil from crime scenes associated with the horrific and ongoing Juarez femicides. Much more contemplative than most of the art you'll see at Chalk It Up, Corral's meditative works should not be missed.
Joey Fauerso
Going in a different direction than Corral or Canales, San Antonio artist and Associate Professor at Texas State Joey Fauerso sets her creative sights on the human body. Her paintings lean towards the erotic, blending nature, culture and the body together as one. Joey will be one of the showcase artists at Chalk It Up. This is yet another accomplishment in a busy year for her after having several exhibitions featured across North America, like her Crossing The Line exhibition that was heavily featured at the Centro Cultural Border in Mexico City. Fauerso's art can be very playful while also tackling gender roles, sexuality and the nude form.
Free, 10am-4pm, Houston Street, (210) 212-4900, artpace.org
