Hundreds of artists took to the streets Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 for the city’s annual Art Splash, and thousands came to watch them create right before their eyes.
Colorful chalk drawings covered Armada Drive just above the Flower Fields as chalk artists of all ages took part in the event.
But the event wasn’t limited to chalk drawings. Skim board artists, an international sand sculptor and various other artists, including a rock balancer, showcased their talents.
The seventh annual event was a success and is growing every year, organizers said.
“We’re spending two days putting on a show to celebrate the arts,” artist Ron Juncal, from Studio 2, said. “The community has really gotten behind it, and people are really coming out and supporting it.”
Juncal is one of the founders of the event, along with Joni Miringoff and a committee of volunteers supporting the arts.
“There is a core group behind the event, about 25 of us,” Juncal said. “There are so many great people behind it. We are held together by the joy of creating artwork.”
The organizers encourage artists to do something, “a little fun and a little wacky,” he said.
“We wanted an event where people could see the artists’ work and in turn, be inspired to create,” Juncal said.
Mayor Bud Lewis welcomed the artists on the first day of the event, which included music by the Funky Kicks and the classic rock band Boneyard. The Funky Kicks were the winners of the Carlsbad Battle of the Bands.
The second day of the festivities featured more family-oriented activities such as Skip Banks the Balloon Man, and the Fern Street Circus.
As the weekend drew to a close, many of the chalk artists said they were sorry to see their work left behind on the street, but said that by taking pictures. So they will be able to keep the memory alive.
“But that’s the real beauty of the art — its transient nature,” Juncal said. “If you weren’t there, you wouldn’t see it.”
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