VIDEO by Alesso Cuomo and Sander de Nooij from the Netherlands celebrating the 7th season (2014) of the Chalk Festival themed Extinct and Endangered Species. The International Sarasota Chalk Festival moved from Burns Square, Sarasota after 6 years to Venice, Florida in 2014.
The Chalk Festival is a historically important festival. It was the first international pavement art festival in the USA. It hosts the largest number of 3D art and debuts of the pavement art form in one location and continues to be bring together artists and art lovers by hosting the largest number of renowned pavement artist while inspiring anyone of any skill level to participate. The festival is a collaborative effort between the artists, volunteers, sponsors and visitors who together make the yearly festival a reality.
In addition to the beautiful work by individuals and groups of artists creating stunning pavement paintings and vertical art, many artists arrived weeks early in 2014 to create the largest anamorphic pavement painting of a Megalodon Shark. It paid homage to the City of Venice, the Shark Tooth Capital of the World. The Megalodon became known to have the most powerful bite of any creature that has ever lived, after research teams from the U.S. and Australia used computer simulations to calculate jaw strength - describing the results as terrifying. Since the Megalodon is extinct it was an appropriate subject for the 2014 theme.
Innovator of the 3D pavement art form, Kurt Wenner, was enlisted to design the painting and one of the first American female artist to master the 3D pavement arts, Julie Kirk-Purcell, lead the team of artists. Artists from around the world, including World Record Holders - Gregor Wosik, Remko Van Shaik, Lydia Hitzfield, and Marion Ruthardt "lent their hands to brush this World-Record into reality for the USA," says Denise Kowal, Festival Founder/Chair.
We wholeheartedly thank our Major Sponsors of the World Record, including the artists and volunteers, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Sharky's on the Pier, Safway Scaffold Services, Caddy Carts, Freedom Boat Club, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Kiwanis Club of LBK, Mahle Cool Air & Heating, Jeff & Peggy Mayper, MOR Hearst TV, Ramada Venice Resort, Roe Media, Sue Dealy Murszewski, Strayer Surveying & Mapping, Suncoast Air Center, Swedx Systems, Venice Gulf Coast Living, Richeson Fine Arts, Venice Gondolier Sun, Venice Art Center and all our sponsors, donors and visitors who contributed in our success.
Enjoy!