Drawing on Earth

New Blog and Web Site

2011-06-15T07:51:00.000-07:00

Please visit our New Blog and Web Site @

www.drawingonearth.org

Last weeks chalk drawing at NEA Community Learning Center, Alameda CA

New Blog and Web Site

2011-06-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

Please visit our New Blog and Web Site @

www.drawingonearth.org

WE HAVE MOVED our BLOG

2011-01-13T13:45:00.000-08:00

OUR BLOG HAS MOVED!

Please visit us at:

http://drawingonearth.blogspot.com

We have moved over

2010-05-14T09:34:00.000-07:00

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WE MOVED to:

Drawing on Earth - Blog

Chabot College, Hayward, CA

Color Class with Mark Wagner

May 13, 2010

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http://drawingonearth.blogspot.com

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We Are Moving Our Blog - please join us!

2010-05-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

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We Are Moving Our Blog - please come with us and bookmark us.

http://drawingonearth.blogspot.com

www.drawingonearth.org

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Mark Wagner ev Caracas (Venezuela)

2010-04-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

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See the You Tube Video

Exciting... a new video from the wonderful, amazing, and creative people from IARTES (Instituto de las Artes de la Imagen y el Espacio), the Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Cultura, and the videographer Luis Hurtado.

www.drawingonearth.org
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Drawing on Earth

2010-03-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

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If you noticed we just renamed our nonprofit, we are filing for a new 501(c)3, building our board, rewriting our business proposal, begin to redesign our web site, and seek for new sponsors as we step into this new 5 year Global Storybook project. Pretty exciting! And seems like lots of work from here. Stay tuned.

~MW

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Drawing on Earth

2010-03-17T04:17:00.000-07:00

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Hi Everyone,

Moving slow these days. The focus is creating our own nonprofit - Drawing on Earth. We have been a full affiliate of Bridges With Youth and after consulting with a few mentors we have decided to be our own. So it's paper work and understanding the process. Along with this comes business plans, proposals, and beginning to look for grants funding.

Add being a dad of two teenage girls, teaching art at two colleges, other exciting free lance graphic design gigs, and my first art show since 1994.

I recently had the wonderful honor of hanging out with Daniel Dancer who also works with kids creating large art projects that are photographed from above in a crane or air balloon. His work is called Art for the Sky. We are beginning to vision some collaborate projects using my chalk drawings and his kids as art, it's pretty exciting, definitely thinking out of the box!

Daniel Dancer - Sky Bear

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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USA TODAY Guinness Book of World Records

2010-02-23T18:32:00.000-08:00

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In the News

USA TODAY Guinness Book of World Records
Slide 19 = Largest Chalk Drawing

Largest Chalk Pavement Art

The largest chalk pavement art measures 3, 361.31 meters (90,000 sq. ft.) and was created by 5,678 children from the schools in Alameda CA, for the Kid's Chalk Art Project between May 27 and June 7, 2008.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Naming Process

2010-02-19T10:17:00.000-08:00

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Franklin Elementary School, Alameda CA - 2006

Still in the process of naming, of renaming the foundation/nonprofit, and naming the current project. I have been advised to move forward and create my own nonprofit and not be an affiliate with anyone else.

Here is what's happening in the moment. We own the URL's but they are not live.

One Creative Planet
A nonprofit that supports and inspires creativity in youth and community
www.onecreativeplanet.org

Present Project:
Drawing on Earth
A global storybook
www.drawingonearth.org

Stay tuned:
~Mark

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Storybook Planet

2010-02-01T20:31:00.000-08:00

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Photo from world record 2008, Alameda CA, USA

Finally came up with a name for the present project.
Storybook Planet
A Tale Drawn Around the World

Got the url: www.storybookplanet.org
Now we get to build a new site.

I also wrote a draft about the project, an ad for Craigslist for Board of Director and team players, and a Children's Museum proposal. If you are interested or know anyone, have them get in touch with us. We can work virtual.
~Mark

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Feb. 2010

Overview

• 2003 artist Mark Wagner had a vision about creating the world’s largest chalk drawing.

• Why? to raise awareness of the non existence of art teachers in the local elementary school district, to help raise funds for art teachers and supplies, and to give the kids a creative experience they would always remember.

• Five years later, after 2 years of hard work, it happened. 6,000 people (over 3,800 elementary school kids), 90,000 sq. ft. (almost 2 football fields), two weeks, and a photograph from a satellite 425 miles up.

• Guinness World Record award, 2010 book.

• The nonprofit, Re-Enchanting the World through Art was created out of this project. Mission: to support and inspire the creative spirit in youth and community.

• An 80 page book, Small Town ~ Big Vision and a 30 minute documentary film were produced and currently seeking publication and distribution.

• Next project begins: Storybook Planet. Five year project creating large community chalk drawing on all seven continents telling one big story.

• Goal is to create a global collaboration creative art experience that gives kids and communities a sense of belonging and contributing to something greater.

• Create a book to give to the United Nation and world leaders sharing the creative love!

• First page of the book - Dec. 2009: Caracas, Venezuela. 1,500 children and community chalk drawing over 2 days. Event combined with an one day 3D chalk drawing Master Class for professional artists. Extremely successful event.

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Storybook Planet: Nonprofit for Board of Director and Team

Craigslist Draft

Storybook Planet: nonprofit global kids/community art project seeking board members and team.

Storybook Planet: A Tale Drawn Around the World. Interested in art, kids, local and global communities, and a big adventure? A five year global community art project is beginning and our nonprofit is expanding. We are looking for a few passionate, professional, fund raisers, design and media specialists, business and visionary leaders. Partime, possible paid positions as we get funded.

Artist Mark Wagner created a large community art project in 2008 that set a Guinness World Record for the largest chalk drawing. 90,000 sq. ft. (almost two football fields), 6,000 people (over 3,800 elementary school kids), two weeks, and a photograph by a satellite. The goal was to give the children a creative collaborative experience that they would remember, raise awareness and funds for the Arts in a school district with NO art teachers in the elementary schools. A book and documentary film have recently been completed about this project.

Dec. 2009 Wagner began Storybook Planet by creating the first page of the book in Caracas, Venezuela. It was a huge success! The next step of the project is to expand the Board of Directors, develop a team, create proposals, fund raise, design a new web site, and continue to take the show on the road. We like to create 2-5 large chalk drawings a year and cover all the major continents of the world.

Interested? Want a piece of this big creative adventure? Please get in touch by emailing:

For more information: www.creativeworlds.org

Wagner’s chalk drawing blog: reenchantingtheworldthroughart.blogspot
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111 Posts

2010-01-20T11:46:00.000-08:00

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Posted 111 times on this blog, 255 images,
and received a total of 17, 834 views.

Photo by Bruno Fabriani

Bruno is a wonderful street painter from Italy. I meet him when he came to help set our world record. He took a copy home of the original sketch and gave it out to kids to draw and color on.

SO what else is happening? I am working on growing our Board of Directors / Steering Committee. As the Global Illustrated Storybook begins to take off, we need a bigger base than just me. I'd like 3-5 other people who are passionate about the project, and about kids and art, and who want to play big and are serious about being involved.

Know anyone? Have them get in touch with me.

~Mark Wagner
www.creativeworlds.org
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Chalk ~ Kids ~ Venezuela

2010-01-09T19:37:00.000-08:00

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Mark Wagner and the younger artists of Venezuela

Photos are by Ana Moreno

I am still posting photos from my Dec. trip to Venezuela. My last post was showing the production team and the adult artists who were involved in the project - Creative Growth, the first chapter of our new Global Illustrated Storybook.

My next post will be more text and writing about the experience.

~Mark

www.creativeworlds.org
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The Art Community of Venezuela

2009-12-20T16:39:00.000-08:00

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Ana Moreno and Mark Wagner
(final hours of two projects)

Satellite Photograph of Venezuela Street Painting

2009-12-13T14:14:00.000-08:00

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GeoEye Satellite Imagery

was so generous to have a satellite overhead to take a photograph of our street painting on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009. It's not as easy to see as our last year's Guinness World Record which took us two weeks to create and we had some really nice negative space covered that help the visuals. But if you look closely you can see the plant leaf and vine and drop shadow.

We had two days of prep on this site. I can tell by the photo that it was taken early on Friday. There is no color in the leaves. On Sat. we ran out of space to draw on and had to grow our piece adding another 13 large shapes to the kids and community to use. In all we had approx. 1,500 involved over two days - pretty cool!

Here is the original sketch, and what it looked like being worked on.

Thank you IARTES (Instituto de las Artes de la Imagen y el Espacio) and the Ministerio del Poder Popular para la Cultura for bringing us down to South America!

And thank you everyone who recently donated to the project supplying the chalk to draw with!

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Venezuela: Amazing ~ Asombroso

2009-12-07T22:31:00.000-08:00

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Wow.... I was in Caracas, Venezuela for almost a week and man, did we lay down some chalk! The center of our hearts overflowed with the creative spirit.

Each morning and every evening we opened with circle.

And the children came, and drew, so much that we had to expand our site in the end by adding 13 more spaces to draw!

The kids were amazing!

The support team amazing!

And the master class workshop was unreal!

to be continued....

Thank you everyone! And yes we did get a satellite photograph!

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Caracas, Venezuela - Still Breathless

2009-12-02T20:07:00.000-08:00

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Day Two: it's a little beyond words...the entire trip so far. Meeting the right people all along the journey, being so taken care of from the moment I got off the plane. The mountains, the poor, the city, the art and artists! Only poetry and images can suggest a world unto itself that I have the great honor in experiencing... there are tears in my eyes.
~Mark

Thousand of images flashing past the moments, a whirlwind of time-less-ness, a stranger becoming not so strange in a strange world, the heart of the people opening to me as I open to them, honest, across borders of language to land of color, form, community, children, big dreams, of a mountain range that this the ceiling of South America, where hermits write erotic poem and spend their years balancing rocks and sharing both. Where security guards are with me even when I pee at the park, taking care to care for me in this different world. And ad-mist the turmoil, the poverty, the bizarre streets, are beautiful mysterious graffiti paintings, beautiful women to ugly men and everyone in between. Young artists and older artist come up to me saying they have heard about me, they have seen some of my work. I show them more and they show me more and together we become a tribe of creative being, animals creating, striving to be free in all moments of doubt, in the confrontation of the unknown in time as warriors unto the gods, a delicate balance, and the grace of understanding the lay of the land, of seeing the park and knowing it can be done... easily, the belly relaxes. The vultures roost not to just eat the dead but to marvel at the humans weaving stories out of the dust from mountains, the chalk/silica, the most abundant element on the earth's surface, and the telling of the birth of a story that will be told around the world from a continent that still has the a spirit intact, living, alive, creating the universe over and over. Still Breathless!

the chalk has arrived - 8,000 pieces, hope I sent enough!

My amazing support team!

My amazing art student production team

And the Gift at the end of the day, at the tip of the growing plant drawing, a real plant that fell exactly here. The creative growth has already begun!

www.reenchantingtheworldthrough art.org
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Can You Believe It? Freak-Out....

2009-11-28T18:04:00.000-08:00

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Yes, my video card on my laptop died, can you believe it. And it can't be fixed in time before I go. Yes, I freaked out for a few minutes, then realized if I was really nice I could barrow my wife's. And yes, she said yes...whew. And now I'm now transferring files, software programs, and packing! I leave in 33 hours.

Here are beginning sketches for Sunday's drawing in front of the Museum of Fine Art, Cararas, Venezuela.

www.re enchanting the world through art. org
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They were somewhere scattered on the dark freeway!

2009-11-26T09:01:00.000-08:00

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The chalk has arrived in Venezuela, that's a big load off my shoulders.

Here's silly one that just happened. Tues. night I finished teaching my last class of the semester at Menlo College (painting and collage). I arrived early to school and was going to work on my sketches for the 2 drawing that I will be doing next week. I placed the drawing pad on top of my truck.

I ended up getting into a painting that I was doing in class for the students and totally forgot about the drawings until I arrived at home at 9pm (45 minutes from school) WITHOUT the drawings. They were somewhere scattered on the dark freeway.

Luckily it's not a big deal, the ideas and visuals are in my head and heart and I am already working them in a way I would of if I had the drawings - tracing paper with more versions. I just want to get them done by Sat. night.

I'm still on schedule and don't need to stress. I plan well and can stay cool even though part of me (my inner little boy) is freaking about going to another country by myself and pulling off 2 big chalk drawings!!!!!

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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8,000 Pieces of Chalk to Venezuela

2009-11-22T10:22:00.000-08:00

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Friday I FedXed five boxes of chalk to Venezuela. 8,000 pieces of chalk and 10 bags of powered chalk. I had 2 cases of chalk that I unpacked and repacked into ziplock bags with air enclosed. This saved me so much space and weight, it was such a good idea.

The powered chalk is to cover larger areas with lines and shadows so that the children can then draw "inside the lines" (I know, who would of ever said that I would have kids do this). A line drawing really helps when making larger work that's hard or imposible to really see from the ground. It's the larger structure and story for holding in all the individuals creative energy that is hard or impossible to see from an airplane or satellite!

We do have Geoeye Satellite Imagery on board to photograph this work (weather pending) and future work for our Global Storybook Project that this Venezuela birthing the first chapter.

I am now completing my sketches for two drawings. One will be with 1,300 children over two days and the other with 100 art students in front of the Museum of Fine Art both in Caracas.

I leave next Monday morning, Nov. 30 and return on Dec. 7th. Here are two places I will be drawing.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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The World's Largest Illustrated Story

2009-11-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

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Dear Everyone,

Our month-long fund raising goal was $2,000. I am proud to say that we raised $3,346 with 57 donations!

Thank you!! Popovich, Corich, Marks, Thiel, Moore, McAleer, Alfresco, Ebnom, Childs, Wagner, Wagner, Martin, Afjei/Gudebski, Graves, Brautovich, Safier, Jacobs, Ortiz, Jarrett, Carlomagno, Jenssen, Watson, Rossiter, Layefsky, Carey, Hyde, Todd, Buelteman, Gilbert, Wang, Davis, Greenwald, Valente, Wengell, Stollman, Linayao, Morrison, Artz, Rentmeesters, Phoenix, Arts, Johnson, Garrett, Burnbaum, Burns, Wasmann, Tryon, Jensen, Lovejoy, Von Herrmann, Louchheim, Teall, McClain, Orr.

Over the month our project has begun to gain some attention. We are now working on connections in Argentina, Morocco, India, and the Netherlands. This is the beginning of a 1-3 year project to create the world's largest illustrated story.

We are going to be chalk drawing on different continents, weaving one story together, giving diverse children and communities a way of being create together. GeoEye Satellite Imagery will be donating satellite photography when able. We are seeking several larger sponsors so if you know anyone, please help us connect.

Thanks again for your support and inspiration. If you wanted to donate to the project, you still can, and please do.

Please make checks out to: REWA
Mail to:
c/o Mark Wagner
27 Powers Court
Alameda, CA 94501

or us PayPal @
http://www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org/donatekidsart.html

Creatively Yours,
~Mark Wagner

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Chalk Drawing / Street Painting Tips

2009-11-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

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Chalk Drawing Tips

by Mark Wagner

What you will need: artwork previously prepared, clean street surface that is not too smooth or too rough, chalk (artists chalk like Koss has great colors and covers the street better), tape measure & chalk line, ipod, hand wipes, some people use plastic gloves, some people use cardboard or pads to sit on, sunscreen, hat, and a camera.

1) Selecting an image. Start off with something that you can handle. Each time you create a chalk drawing you will get better and be able to pull off larger and more complicated images. It’s better to win with a doable piece than have a disappointing first experience.

2) Old master’s artwork are great to copy. You get a direct lesson, you learn how they worked, how they used line, color, composition, and form. They are called the masters and in the art history books for a reason.

3) Street painting / chalk drawing festivals connect to an old tradition of artists drawing pictures of Saints on the street for the public to enjoy and learn from. The artwork connected the viewer through the art to spirit. As you continue to chalk drawing, think about what people need to see.

4) I use the computer and photoshop. Try using a filter called “cutout” that separates the image into individual shapes. This is very helpful as it allows you too see the shapes more clearly and helps with drawing on the street.

5) Use the grid system to size the drawing from the art you are using to the size of the street. First know the size of the street piece, example 4 x 4 ft. Make your artwork also in a square format. Draw squares on a Xerox or on the computer, print out several sheets, close-ups for the details, place is plastic sleeves.

6) Sweep the street from any pebbles and dirt.

7) Use a tape measure to measure out your piece using a 12 in. grid. Then use a chalk line, ask for help, and snap down the lines.

8) Name the squares on your print outs, down with letter or numbers, and across with the other creating 1A, 1B, etc… Name them the same way on the street.

9) Begin to outline your piece using a medium dark piece of chalk. Umber or burnt sienna works the best. Move through one square at a time looking at your drawing and drawing in the same square on the street. This way you are only working on one square at a time, which helps you stay focused and not get lost.

10) Stay away from white chalk until later, use it sparingly.

11) Try using a long stick with a piece of chalk taped to the end so you can stand and draw your outlines. This phase is simple out line, it’s only to get your entire drawing down so that when you get to the squares to fill in they are already drawn in the correctly. It’s also helpful if you have other people that will be helping you, they can just jump in on a square or section.

12) Chalk is a medium where you build on top of what’s underneath. Chalk will only adhere to the street in a certain way. Once you cover the area, there will be a point where the street won’t take anymore chalk. If you add more it will just lay on the top and eventually get blown away which makes a mess for you and for whoever is working beside you.

13) Ever see the movie, Karate Kid? Wax on wax off? It’s a circular motion that goes both ways. After you put down the first pass of chalk, use this technique to push the chalk down into the street. The goal is to totally cover the street with chalk. This also works well with blending colors together. If you want a color that is not in the box, use two different colors of chalk at the same time and smear them into the street to make a new color.

14) Step back from your drawing to give your perspective from how it looks up close, walk around, climb on something, take your camera.

15) Add line work, dark lines work the best. Lightly blend them it into the drawing. Add highlights, don’t smear these in, leave them just sitting on the top of the pavement.

16) It’s helpful to work on a difficult area of the drawing first, like a face and eyes. If you can pull off good eyes, you’ll instantly have people’s attention! By handling a difficult area first, you will feel better about the drawing and the process, you’ll feel better about yourself and can relax. It also shows the audience/viewers that you can draw, so as you continue to work on other parts of the drawing that still looked messed up, you’ll know that you have already done something good and people can see this too. Basically impress them and yourself early!

17) At larger events there are lots people around. It’s fun to stop and talk to people. They are there to see artists work (we usually work alone in our studios) and it’s a great way to share the creative spirit and to network. Make sure you bring business cards or a way that people can get in touch with you, they may want to hire you later. If you have any copies or prints of your other work, bring that along and have it available for others to see.

18) And then there is time to not be social and just work, stay focused, concentrate – time for the ipod!

19) Use your camera often, take pictures of your drawing throughout the creation. It’s a wonderful thing to have, show, and use on your web site and blog. It also records the process, helps you remember all the steps it takes, and then can be used later in teaching. Street painting is a temporary art form, many street paintings are washed away in a day or two so the photographs are the only record of the art.

20) Stretch often, your lower back will take a beating. Take good breaks, sometimes the sun on the street is really hot, drink lots of water, take a hot bath later. Advil or Tylenol are helpful during the drawing process to keep the body stress lower. You will be sore the next day, keep stretching.

21) Have fun, make a mess, keep the chalk out of your eyes, let the chalk and the drawing teach you, draw as if you are guided, trust the process. Even if you really make a mess or you don’t like your drawing, relax into knowing that everything is good, that it’s each piece of art that you create makes you a better artist and builds confidence. Be careful not to judge or make yourself wrong. Draw from your belly, breath, see if you can loose yourself in your work. You will amaze yourself before you are half way through, and when you are done it will feel like you just climbed a mountain. You will be your own hero!

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Guinness Book of World Records 2010

2009-10-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

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Guinness Book of World Records 2010

Pages 193 & 195
We are in it!

"The largest chalk pavement art measured 90,000 ft2 and was created by 5.678 children from schools in Alameda CA, USA for the Kids' Chalk Art Project between May 27 and June 7 2008."

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Raising $ for Chalk, Please Help! Venezuela in Dec. 2009

2009-10-15T15:13:00.000-07:00

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Hello Everyone!

Fundraising Chalk Goal by Nov. 15, 2009 : $2000

Last year we set a world record for the largest chalk drawing. We also started the 501(c)3 nonprofit Re-Enchanting the World Through Art (REWA), which supports and inspires the creative spirit in youth and community.

Mark Wagner, the founder and original artist behind the Kids' Chalk Art Project has a bigger vision, to create several large chalk drawing around the world, unified by a narrative creating the world largest illustrated story and setting another new world record.

The vision is happening sooner than anyone thought and even before we could go out and make any connections, the connections have found us. Our first storytelling gig is in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 2 - 7. Chalk will cost approx. $1200 to buy and ship (expensive to ship).

We are actually doing a combo fundraiser for chalk. We have continued to chalk draw over the last year, both locally and around the state (Alameda, San Leandro Juvenile Hall, Walnut Creek, Fresno). With the school budgets desperately tight we are suppling the chalk for these events, allowing kids and the community to draw and be creative.

Our simple short term goal over the next month is: $2000 by Nov. 15

This is:
10 people @ $200
20 people @ $100
40 people @ $50
or 100 people @ $20

Please help us out by donating now. Be part of setting another world record, be part of investing wisely and creatively into our youth and our global community. Send your check or donate online and receive a tax deductible donation letter.

Please make checks out to: REWA (Re-Enchanting the World Through Art)

Mail to:
c/o Mark Wagner
27 Powers Court
Alameda, CA 94501

or us PayPal @
www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org/donatekidsart.html

Creatively Yours,
~Mark

Kids' Chalk Art Project - Guinness World Record
Mark Wagner: Creative Director
www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
reenchantingtheworldthroughart.blogspot.com

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New Film Trailer: Small Town ~ Big Vision

2009-10-08T16:10:00.000-07:00

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SMALL TOWN ~ BIG VISION

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Proposal: School Assembly, Chalk Drawing, Weekend Fundraiser

2009-09-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

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Yesterday chalk drawing at Walnut Creek Middle School.

Chalk Drawing with Artist Mark Wagner

Proposal: School Assembly, Chalk Drawing, Weekend Fundraiser

Elementary through High School

1) Mark Wagner will come to your school and present an assembly to share with students and teachers how he co-created the world’s largest chalk drawing, (a Guinness World Record), with the children of Alameda, CA, and which was completed on June 7, 2008.

2) Wagner will create a large professional chalk drawing on site with the help of a selected group of students.

3) Wagner will support your school in setting up a “draw-a-thon,” fundraiser to generate funding for each school's art program. These fundraisers will take place on a designated Saturday morning on the school playground with students and parents.

Cost: $200 - $500. Chalk donated through REWA

Dear PTA and School Principals,

In collaboration with the City of Alameda, AUSD, the Alameda PTA Council, and AEF, artist Mark Wagner visited each elementary school last spring inviting the students to help him with a dream. The dream was to create the world’s largest chalk drawing, to raise awareness for the arts, to publicize that there were no art teachers in the elementary schools of Alameda, and to give the kids a creative experience that they would remember for the rest of their lives.

Over two weeks AC transit bussed out entire elementary schools to the Alameda Naval Air Station to participate in the Kids’ Chalk Art Project. In the end 6,000 people were involved, over 4,000 elementary school kids, who covered 90,000 sq. ft. of pavement (the size of almost two football fields), and set a new world record which was photographed by a satellite.

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Out of this project a nonprofit was created, Re-Enchanting the World Through Art (REWA), which supports and inspires the creative spirit in youth and community. Today there is a book and 30 minute documentary film about the project, Small Town ~ Big Vision. The Making of a World Record Chalk Drawing.

The assembly proposal involves Mark Wagner visiting your school and presenting through laptop and projector images, the world of chalk drawing and street painting festivals around the country, and photographs from the year of chalk drawing here in Alameda that climaxed in the Guinness World Record (photos to be published in their next book.)

Included is a Saturday morning chalk drawing event at your school (fall or spring weather pending) where the students are able to be creative with their parents. A “draw-a-thon” can take place where children get sponsored by friends and family to draw for ½ hour generating funding for your school’s visual art program.

Your school can then easily reproduce this event over the years to come creating a simple long-term sustainable funding and excitement for an integral visual arts program at your school.

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About Mark Wagner: Mark Wagner, MA is the visionary behind the Kids' Chalk Art Project. Wagner's first artistic adventures were in rural Pennsylvania where as a second grader when he began to draw monsters and spaceships. Wagner credits his brother for sparking a desire to draw and his mother for her encouragement.

Wagner's artistic endeavors span 40 years. He holds a MA from John F. Kennedy University, and a BFA from Pratt Institute. Wagner is involved in the film industry as a professional concept artist recently working for Pixar “drawing monsters and spaceship,” in addition to his work as graphic designer, illustrator, author, musician, and fine artist. His professional work can be seen @ www.heartsandbones.com

Wagner created a year-long pilot artist-in-residency program at Franklin Elementary School and has taught art and creativity in a variety of venues from digital art colleges to graduate school and prison, inspiring people of all ages to gain access to their own creative spirit. Wagner is also the author of "The Art of Being A Dad.” Wagner lives in Alameda with his wife, writer Laurie Wagner and their two children.

Mark Wagner

Hearts & Bones Studio

mw@heartsandbones.com

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Chalk 4 Peace - John Aaron

2009-09-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

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John Aaron is a friend and fellow chalk artist with a big dream. His Facebook bio says" Artist, Organizer, Educator and Humorist for Peace... What's so funny about peace, love and understanding...? It's nice chalking with you...."

John organizes large chalk drawing, street painting events where at over 400 sites across the planet unite in Sept. and chalk draw for peace, uniting kids, community, and the world. Check it out, an artist with a big dream doing something about it!

CHALK4PEACE - blog

CHALK4PEACE.org
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Street Painting - Juvenile Hall / Camp Sweeney

2009-08-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

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On Weds. the mens group (Ebnom.org) I am part of visited the Alameda County Juvenile Hall Camp Sweeney and did a chalk drawing with the young men who are locked up. Juvenile Hall the prison for teenagers.

Ebnom guys or Juveniles??? The young men at Camp Sweeney can not be photographed.

We had about 30 young men drawing with us for a few hours in the morning after I showed them my artwork and talked to them about chalk drawing and how we set a world record.

I have taught art and creativity in prison for many years, I like it. I remember once feeling safer in prison that outside in this sometimes crazy world. Camp Sweeney is an adjacent complex to the Juvenile Hall, it's where the young men go before they are being left out.

I was excited the night before going, not nervous, which I realized is a similar feeling in the body but definitely different. At the camp hanging out with the young men I was surprised how comfortable I was being close to them.

I didn't hear stories of why they were there, I didn't ask, and I know none of their stories are good. One of the councilors said they are lucky to catch 1 out of 10 young men who go through program.... that's sad. I wanted everyone of them to win in living and understanding and knowing what it takes, and then having the support and inspiration to do it, to live into their dreams.

I picked a snake with wings for the image we were going to draw. I have always thought of this type of artwork, chalk drawing / street painting as medicine for the people. So what do these young men need? Transformation, healing, shedding old skin?

The snake is the most widely used symbol in all of humanity, across the globe in all cultures. Symbolizing evil and temptation in one culture, spiritual protection in another. Deceitfulness, guardianship, poison and medicine, renewal, rebirth, regeneration. I once wrote a small book titled, "The Universe Creating Itself. My Life as a Snake."

This is a Caduceus. I just learned while writing this blog that the caduceus is sometimes erroneously used as a symbol for medicine, especially in North America, due to confusion with the traditional medical symbol, the rod of Asclepius, which has only a single snake and no wings.

Also from the web: A snake with wings is the mythological symbol for the human ego. It is in the form of a dragon. It represents the inner dragon of a person, which the person must slay before he or she gets to his or her desire.

Film maker and musician Kevin Footer with the Kids' Chalk Art Project t-shirt on.

In the end the young men did some of their tricks, they drew gang signs that needed to be drawn over. It turned into quite the scene, not bad, just interesting, a little crazy, but I.... was more interested in drawing and didn't pay that much attention to it. Leading by example.

Bless those young men!

Mark Wagner on site.

Street Painting - Juvenile Hall / Camp Sweeney YouTube Video

~Mark Wagner
Creative Director: Re-Enchanting the World Through Art
Supporting and Inspiring the Creative Spirit in Youth and Community
a 501(c)3 nonprofit
Buy a chalk book, support the creative future by investing in it now!
Small Town ~ Big Vision

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Blessing of the Urban Animals

2009-08-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

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Mark Wagner & Clayton Thiel chalk drawing at the Youth-in-Arts annual Italian Street Painting Festival in San Rafael CA, June 13-14 2009.

This year we followed our interest in pushing the 3D aspect of chalk drawing. We created our sketch using foam core and made a 3 dimensional maquette that we light and photographed.

We started Friday evening and needed to be done Sunday by noon for we were both going to a wedding. Clayton and I have been chalk drawing at this festival for the last 4 years. Clayton was actually going to leave Sat. night at 6pm. I was going to stay late and then finish solo on Sunday. We had our work chalked out for us.

We continued with our splattered chalk and cracked street technique.

This years theme was a prayer for the Urban Animals: raccoon, crow, rat, pigeon, ladybug, deer, snake, coyote, fish, etc... My dog got into a bloody fight twice with a raccoon in one week recently in my front yard, really ugly and disturbing for everyone involved. We wanted to send some good energy to all these animals that we know are having a hard time surviving in our human controlled environments.

And then we had urban animals show up! Clayton's grandson came to visit and hitched a ride and being a great photo opportunity for many people passing by.

Here I am, Mark Wagner wearing a Kids' Chalk Art Project t-shirt. I created a project that set a new World Record for the largest chalk drawing in 2008.

I was personally moved this year by the people who I meet. There is something magical and mysterious about these chalk drawing festivals, especially this one. A place where hundreds of artists create for hours and hours, where thousands of people come to see, watch, and interact.
In the evening it gets quiet, but there are still people working, still people walking around after dinner.

But something else is present for me, the conversations with kids and adults was amazing. Something seems to open and be present when so many artist and people get together - it's beyond words - I guess I will leave it at that!

SMALL TOWN~ BIG VISION
World Record Chalk Drawing Book

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National Summer Learning Day & Chalk Drawing

2009-07-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

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Last Thurs. was National Summer Learning Day. I was invited to participate by the Central Valley Afterschool Foundation in Fresno CA USA to create a chalk drawing that was themed around the education that happens over the summer and after school.

Education and learning is important to keep the kids' minds active and engaged while school is out. Many kids loose valuable learning skills without being stimulated, it's especially hard on the less privileged kids, kids without parental interest, time, or energy to be their teachers.

The chalk drawing was at the semi pro Grizzlies Chukchansi baseball stadium. I used a Grizzly Bear's paw print, baseball player, and combined them with the sun, skateboarding, cheer leading, hip hop dancing, cooking, music, art, science, academics, creative technology, and more.

Weds. night the game was dedicated to the National Summer Learning Day and would be full of kids and parents. There were information booths, music, dance, and cheer leading performances. My piece was designed so that kids and parents could draw all around the borders, it becoming an interactive community collaborative chalk drawing.

The chalk drawing was 22 x 20 ft. which is pretty darn big for one person and a day and a half. I started around 5pm on Tues night.It was a beautiful warm night with sun setting. I worked until I couldn't see the differences in color due to the night.

After I figured out where I was going to draw, did the math and measurements, set up the grid, and enlarged my drawing by using grids, I came into a problem. The surface that I was drawing on was one the smoothest I have ever worked on.

I worked on something smooth when I was helping Tracy Stum on a chalk drawing project. She used hair spray to first create a tacky connection to the surface and then chalk draw on top. My piece was way too big for that to be an option. I freaked out for a few moments.

But then as with all creative problems, I let the surface teach me. I leaned into it and discovered how it would work best. At other chalk drawing festivals the street can take a lot of chalk. A too rough street sucks and is just as bad as a too smooth street. It's the baby bear thing... not too cold, not too hot, just right. With a street or pavement that is just right, you can push the chalk into the street, you can layer the chalk, get deep rick solid colors, and even then draw on the surface.

This smooth cement surface didn't have layers, it just had the surface. So when I would lay some chalk down and then try to rub it, it would get picked up on my hand - ergh!

And over time it does always work out. That is something I have learned over time, in the beginning is almost always looks horrible, but staying with it, it always looks better than you thought.

And then the doors were open, the kids and parents came. People were drawing late into the evening. I made some great connections and meet some wonderful people who were passionate about kids, learning, and humanity.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org

if you haven't bought one of our World Record Chalk Drawing Books, please do!
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Documentary Film Trailer: Small Town ~ Big Vision

2009-06-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

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We just posted our new trailer of the new 30 minute documentary film about our 2008 World Record chalk drawing by Kevin Footer and Victoria Zorraquin.

MOVIE TRAILER

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Franklin Elementary School - 7th Year

2009-06-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

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This was the 7th year I organized a chalk drawing at my kids elementary school.

Actually this year I just created the outline and a mom/art docent ran the day of drawing with the kids.

It was my way of passing the torch to someone else so that now the school can do it on their own.

My youngest daughter is graduating from the school after we had two kids go through over the last seven years.

TURTLE WORLD

OUR NEW BOOK IS NOW ON SALE

"Small Town - Big Vision
Kids' Chalk Art Project
World Record 2008

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org

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New Book for Sale: Small Town ~ Big Vision

2009-05-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

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http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/700435

A year ago we were chalk drawing on the site, over the next two week we covered 90,000 sq. ft. and set a new World Record. Please join us now in celebrating by buying our new book to share the creative energy and support future project with youth and community.

SMALL TOWN ~ BIG VISION is the story of the Kids' Chalk Art Project ~ a creative community event that set a new world record for the largest chalk drawing, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

May 27 - June 7, 2008: 6,000 participants, including over 3,800 elementary school students; two weeks of chalk drawing, 90,000 square feet (300' x 300'), the story of a salamander and ginkgo leaf, lots of chalk, a satellite photograph, and a special dog.

The Kids' Chalk Art Project is the first collaboration of Re-Enchanting the World Through Art, a nonprofit that supports and inspires the creative spirit in youth and community.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org

For an Artist, a vision is a dime a dozen, that's less than a penny per vision. Having them is worthless unless you do something with them, which is priceless. ~ Mark Wagner

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Excerpt from the Book

2009-05-21T19:54:00.000-07:00

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Next week we launch our NEW BOOK!

80 pages of beautiful color photographs of our world record chalk drawing made a year ago by the kids and community of Alameda, CA USA.

Please join us in celebrating our efforts into keeping the arts alive for our kids, for the future, and for us all now.

School flyer going out to all the elementary school parents.

Excerpt for the book:
Along the Way: A Few Lessons
I Learned About Dreaming Big Dreams

• If you are going to dream big, be prepared to pay dearly. Dreamers pay in blood, sweat, and real tears for the wisdom they receive and the experience they get along the way.

• Dreamers require co-conspirators. You need to enroll others in your vision, you can’t do it alone.

• Asking for help is an art of its own. Keep asking, never stop. You'll never know if the person beside you wants to be involved in the project otherwise.

• Be prepared to have your original vision changed along the way, it's a natural process, pay attention, go with the flow.

• You get much more out of a community project than you put in. Awareness of what you achieved will transform you for the rest of your life.

• To dream big dreams and see them through, you need a strong internal fire to keep going. That fire will have to keep you warm on many lonely nights.

• When it comes to volunteers, there are two classes: those with the best intentions
and those whose best intentions are backed by real action. Whether your dream becomes reality or not depends on the latter.

• Consider carefully all the advice that you get along the way – but don't be afraid to ignore it and follow your intuition.

• Many people will not understand your dream at first. No matter: they will be inspired by your passion and want to be part of it themselves.

• If you are a dreamer and you aren't a master of all the skills you need
(e.g. accounting, project management, organization), surround yourself as soon as possible with people who are.

• Many people will tell you that your dream is impossible to achieve. Thank them politely - and get back to work.

• Be a maker of miracles. Everyone wants to be a part of a miracle.

Kevin Carrel Footer
Documentary Film Maker

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Youth in Art - Italian Street Painting Festival

2009-05-13T18:42:00.000-07:00

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The Italian Street Painting Festival by Youth in Arts in San Rafael CA is coming up June 13 - 14th. It's one of the largest chalk drawing festival in the country and in the world. Hundreds of artist come to draw and thousands of people come to watch, listen to great music, eat excellent food.

If you live in the area it's not to be missed. I have been drawing there ever since it began some 15 years ago.

Youth in Arts 2007

Youth In Art, San Rafael CA

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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The Art of Driving - BMW

2009-05-02T23:25:00.000-07:00

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The Art of Driving - BMW

I saw this BMW ad last night at the movies for the first time - wow! I wish I had Art Directed that! It made me think about the chalk drawing we did last year that set a World Record.

I am going to get in touch with BMW, see if that want to do a chalk drawing ad with their cars!

Driving around my Toyota truck on site was always so cool, so big, surreal.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Youth in Arts

2009-04-23T09:27:00.000-07:00

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Youth in Arts - San Rafael CA, has one of the largest chalk drawing festivals in the world. Each June hundreds of artists, both well know chalk drawers and newbies gather for a weekend to get covered in chalk and made some of the most amazing art ever - and it's temporary, and it for the people. Thousands and thousands of people flock in to watch artists work, listen to music, eat great food, and celebrate the visual arts and this totally unique medium.

Italian Street Painting Festival - Youth in Arts

Here are some chalk drawings that were created at the festival and at other festivals around the world by artists who hang in the hood.

Clayton Thiel's and my piece from 2007 is the last one. We'll be there this year so put it in your calendar. June 13 & 14.

Also follow my new blog on the Art of Being A Dad.
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Last Night

2009-04-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

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Last night we worked the final edits on our documentary film. Victoria Zorraquin, a young cute 24 year old new to the documentary film world and step kid of a Kevin Footer (who is the original film maker on this project) is leaving town today for France, then? Argentina. So we needed to put some hours in before she left. Kevin will do the last minutes tweaks.

Vic ready to film - I drove!

This is Victoria's first big (small) film experience. She's done an excellent job, she has the obcessive qualities that a true artist needs, and she sticks up for what she believes in which is a quality I admire. She also is young and gives her power away too easily feeling frustrated and saying, "I don't know what to do here, so you just tell me!" Ha... I say, "don't you do that, I want you here/now trying to figure it out with us, this is your training ground, another client might not be so appreciative. Take a brake, get some air, and get back in the seat and let's do it - together!" She also learned Adobe Premiere for this project.

I meet Kevin Footer through the men's group that we are connected to. The East Bay Nation of Men (EBNOM.org). The name doesn't quite say it, we are really a circle of men who support men, families, and communities. I do like the "Nation" thing, I'd call us a United Nation of Men, we are all seperate counteries that make up one body of spirit. Great guys! Our World Record project was partly originated by this group 6 years ago, and the event was primarily produced by these guys - watch the DVD!

Victoria, Kevin, Mark

The first day Kevin came to one of our Sat. monthly morning meeting out in a park, I was there going my best to enroll the guys into helping me (which did take some work - nothing being for free, I had to "enroll" them). I had all these jobs listed for the project written on sticky pads. One said "Documentary Film." Kevin was the one and only guy at that time to reach out and pick one.

Kevin's beautiful and talented wife is a Latin Grammy Nominated Singer - Maria Volonte. She is singing in San Francisco Jazz Festival May 31, 2009 at 2pm.

Maria and Kevin

The Rev. Alexandra "Sasha" Childs also hung out with us to edit the film. Sasha and I meet in art school at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn NY, in the early 80's. She now lives on the island near by and has been an elemental force in the creation of our event last year, but also in the book and film's production. Her sense of design, type, what visually works is unsurpassed in my experience.

Sasha and Cristin Barnes (our brillant dog soilder Project Manager)

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Creative Spirit Women

2009-04-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

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I found these photos on the web, and yes truth be told .... women making art, being creative is a beautiful thing. It combines some very powerful things; sex, art, and spirit. These elements come together and create something larger, a deep pull to and from the human race, an invitation to grow and expand, to evolve, and to celebrate. Blessings!

~M

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Guerrilla Chalk Drawing

2009-03-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

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Yesterday I started a chalk drawing project at the Games Developers Conference in San Francisco. My clients were young guys from the East Coast. They were not able to get full permission to draw on the sidewalk but they wanted to try it anyway. I was game, it paid, and it would be good promotion.

Well, I got closed down just after I set up my grid and was ready to draw. Funny! As the street cleaner and cops were called I quietly disappeared. I got paid well for a hour of work and sketches.

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The Art of Chalking

2009-03-18T10:01:00.000-07:00

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With the economy the way it is, we are mainly working on other project to secure dependable income - making a profit for our families and home.

The nonprofit REWA (Re-Enchanting the World Through Art) is totally focused on the book edits and documentary film, both will be complete by mid April. We will send out a round of thank you notes to all our sponsors and people who donated to our World Record event.

Here is what our book is looking like now, and new promo card above.

Next week I do believe I have a good chalk drawing job. I will be creating a 3 day commercial chalk drawing for the Games Developers Conference in San Francisco. That will be good networking!

~Mark Wagner
Creative Director

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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New Blog - The Art of Being A Dad

2009-03-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

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I just started a new blog. I wanted to promote my dad book which takes place over the first seven years of my kids lives, and also talk about what it's like to have teenagers (girls).
~Mark

Blog~ the Art of Being A Dad
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Chalk Book & Documentary Film

2009-03-03T12:20:00.001-08:00

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We continue to work on our book and documentary film. They are both close to being finished. They are fantastic!

And the Guinness World Record people asked for photos for the GWR 2010 book. That's cool.

As we all know, funding it tight, our account is getting close to bottom of the well. We'll need more funding to continue supporting the creative spirit in youth and communities. If you feel moved and believe in what we are doing, please donate to our nonprofit. We will use your donations wisely. Thank you!

Please visit our web site to donate:
www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Guinness World Record - Official Document

2009-02-15T15:26:00.000-08:00

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Guinness World Record - Official Document

Mark Wagner, Founder of "Re-Enchanting the World Through Art" and the "Kids' Chalk Art Project" accepts an award from the PTA of Alameda County for his work with kids and the creation of the world's largest chalk drawing in 2008.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org

Obama Sky: An Earth Inauguration by Daniel Dancer

2009-01-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

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Daniel Dancer is a fellow art brother. He recently pulled this piece off in Chicago using children, recycled garbage, and sod to create a portrait of Obama.

After the election of Barrack Obama it began to seem like there was a whole new spirit in this country, an excitement, an edge, a never-before-seen unity . . . almost as if we were living under a whole new "sky" . . . . it felt so wide and pervasive. I sent out an email to every principal in Illinois to try to find a venue to celebrate the first black president in a special way. Thinking many would respond, only one did . . . Vaida Williams, a big, brave and wildly joyful woman from the Alex Haley School on Chicago's southside, a 100% African-American school so "rough" that they had no toilet paper or fixtures in the bathrooms . . . you had to check it out.

The weather was frigid, blizzards covered our work twice, we gave up . . . and then on the scheduled day of the event, we woke up to an unexpected clear and sunny day. Inspired by the seemingly impossible task Obama is welcoming as he takes office and with the help of students, teachers and parents who came out in droves to help us, we all worked furiously to turn a snowy field in to the image below.

With fresh snow in Obama's teeth and eyes, 900 students jumped in to form his hair, suit, shirt and border . . . "YES!" was spelled out of recycled cans and an Earth flag lies embedded in his tie in this 12,000 square foot image. Thank you Jade and Chris for coming up to help . . . it couldn't have been done without you . . . nor with the sun that surprised us that morning, a big lesson about expecting miracles!

Daniel Dancer
www.artforthesky.com

News Video of the Obama Portrait

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PTA Award and the Chalk Book

2009-01-14T21:19:00.000-08:00

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I was just selected for the PTA award for 2008. I am being honored for "involving our children in a wonderful event, bringing art and creativity to their world."

We also just sent our chalk drawing book to print for an artist proof, pretty exciting. 80 pages with lots of color, chalk drawings, kids, community, and a world record! It will be available for sale hopefully by the end of the month.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Heaven on Earth

2009-01-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

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I was contacted through the internet for an interesting chalk drawing job. The job was to make a chalk drawing in a kid's style, photograph the drawing, turn it into a 18 x 36 in. print. The print would then get framed and given as a thank you gift to the First Lady Janet, wife of the Uganda's President. She helped open the Miranda Memorial Academy, a children's K - 8 school in Uganda, Africa.

There is an abandoned park on the decommissioned Alameda Naval Air Base, near where I live. I have been eyeing it for awhile knowing it was a prime spot for chalk drawing.

The size of a basketball court is 94 x 50 ft. Tracy Stum was awarded a Guinness World Record for the Largest Chalk Drawing by an Individual. Her piece was 34 x 17.5 ft. I am thinking that one day, I'll have to do a larger piece on this site.

Zander, my beloved chalk dog continues to hang with me.

Last year we set a new world record for the largest chalk drawing, 6000 people, 90,000 sq. ft., two weeks, a mess of kids, a satellite photograph. Here I was chalk drawing alone for the first time and I really loved it.

Abandoned park, isolated area, my dog was off leash in a large fenced in area, hawks, trees, wind, clouds. Large ships and some of my favorite tugboats behind me working the Oakland port. Something about being alone, making art, warm day, my ipod playing Armin van Buuren, and working on a paid project, for a kid's school in Africa, and drawing on a fantastic surface. This is Heaven on Earth.

I completed the work knowing I would finish the piece on the computer in Photoshop. I moved some kids around, did a little touch up all over, printed the piece at Kinkos and mailed it off.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Ghost Riders

2008-12-18T16:39:00.000-08:00

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“Art is not a thing; it is a way.”
Elbert Hubbard

Michael Layefsky recently got his kite and camera up again in the sky over our chalk piece and this is what was below him.

“I believe in intuition and inspiration. . . at times I feel certain that I am right while not knowing the reason …imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”
Albert Einstein

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Keeping the Heart Art Alive

2008-12-02T17:19:00.000-08:00

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As we worked on our book and documentary film, we decided to do a film shoot interviewing me at the site while I was re-chalking the salamander's heart.

Kevin Footer and Victoria Zorraquin brought their camera gear. I brought some chalk, my truck, and Zander the Chalk Dog.

Victoria ready for some film action.

Mark Wagner, creator of the Kids' Chalk Art Project, and Zander.

Original Heart, May 2008
Artwork - 90,000 square feet.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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The Art of Being A Dad - New Book

2008-11-19T08:45:00.000-08:00

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Creative Director of Re-Enchanting the World Through Art & the Kids' Chalk Art Project has just published his first book - The Art of Being A Dad (first seven years).

On Sale Now @ www.theartofbeingadad.com

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The Mayor of Alameda and the City Council

2008-11-07T09:51:00.001-08:00

•photo my Mike R0sati

Last night I went to the City Council meeting, waited for hours and then was able to address the City Council Members and the Mayor of Alameda. I told them I brought good news on a somewhat depressing night at City Hall. I gave everyone a print of our chalk salamander and gingko leaf art project and thanked them for their support, mainly in waving the $14,000 base rental fee and the special event permit.

They were excited, smiled, and really appreciated what we had done. The Mayor acknowledged us for pulling off a such a successful and large first time event. I spoke well about what we had done and what we are doing and invited the City to be connected to our future nonprofit projects.

Thank you again chalk team, we rocked & chalked and created a killer world record community art project!

sincerely yours,
~Mark
Creative Director
Re-Enchanting the World Through Art
www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Documentary Film Beginning

2008-10-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

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Kevin Footer and Vicki Zorraquin are beginning to work on the KIDS' CHALK ART PROJECT documentary film.

As with our book project we want to be able to share what we did with others, film, print, and the web are such excellent vehicles. So stay tuned - should be great, we have some amazing footage.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Chalk Book Pre Sales

2008-10-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

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The chalk drawing is still here. We had a light rain since I took these pictures and it took some of the color and art away from where the kids drew. The outline we created using powered chalk is on the pavement solid and it will stay well into the rainy season and perhaps even into next year.

Our non profit, "Re-Enchanting the World Through Art" (REWA) is now making a book about the chalk drawing project. You can pre-order the book now for $26.95 by sending a check to:

REWA, PO Box 284, Alameda CA 94501

We are planning to have the book completed by early Dec. 2008. All book sale proceeds go to the nonprofit and helps to support and inspire the creative spirit in youth and communities.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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The Universe Creating Itself - Community Art

2008-10-08T14:25:00.000-07:00

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"The Universe Creating Itself"
Community Chalk Drawing
50 ft. x 50 ft., Sept. 2008

by Mark Wagner and the
Community of Santa Clarita California USA

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org

"The Universe Creating Itself"
Community Art, Santa Clarita Street Festival, CA
50 ft. x 50 ft., Sept. 2008
by Mark Wagner and the Community of Santa Clarita
www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Santa Clarita Community Chalk Drawing 2008

2008-10-07T17:39:00.000-07:00

OFFICIAL NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD

2008-09-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

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WE DID IT!
WE SET AN OFFICIAL NEW GUINNESS WORLD RECORD

The largest chalk pavement art measured 8,361.31 m2 (90,000 ft2) and was created by 5,678 children from schools in Alameda, California, USA, for the Kids' Chalk Art Project between 27 May and 7 June 2008.

If you are inspired by what we did, you'll like what we are doing too. One of our current projects is turning the world record chalk event into a book; to document a non-permanent art piece, to share with other communities ideas about keeping the creative spirit alive, and to have a product to sell to help create long term sustainable income for the foundation over the years.

Please join us by DONATING now - download our PDF donation form.
We are a full affiliate of Bridging With Youth, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org

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New Life

2008-08-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

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Creation continues to evolve. The transient energy of chalk and nature.

An environmental clean-up agency that the US Navy hired is running their trucks over the chalk drawing They are cleaning up radioactive radium that the Navy used to paint on item to glow in the dark, they dumped the toxic waste into the storm drains which are now being cleaned out.

I have know about the clean up for a year or so. The work had not been started until after our event was over. I am working on a sci-fi story about this Alameda Navy Air Base. I think I will use the idea of the salamander and gingko leaf chalk drawing being effected and transformed by the radioactive energy.

The chalk drawing has really faded where the truck have run, some areas have been watered down. All detail and colors from the hand drawn chalk is gone in those places, but interesting enough life finds it's way back, as always, evolving, unstoppable, the pure force of nature.

The chalk drawing will continue to disappear, when the wind and rain come it should be mostly gone from this world but will last perhaps forever with photographs, memories, and positive creative energy invested wisely into our youth.

And then there is a man and his dog. If you followed the actually event you will have seen many pictures of Mr. Z. He was on site for all two weeks, only leashed when the school kids were with us and then still able to be petted and oo'd and ah'd over. He's such a good dog around kids. He continues to be a guiding light in my life.

We are close to moving our nonprofit over from the "Kid's Chalk Art Project" to "Re-Enchanting the World Through Art." The book about the event has begun and we are beginning to brainstorm about what's next.

~Mark Wagner
Founder

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Ten Reasons Why Art Is Good For Kids

2008-08-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

•photo by Alexandra Childs

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org

I thought I'd post these again.
~Mark

Ten Reasons Why Art Is Good For Kids

1) Art Teaches Problem Solving. Making art teaches that there is more than one solution to the same problem. Art challenges our beliefs and encourages open-ended thinking that creates an environment of questions rather than answers.

2) Art Prepares Kids for the Future. Creative, open-minded people are highly desired in all career paths. Art and creative education increases the future quality of the local and global community. Being creative is a life long skill and can be used in every day situations.

3) Art Generates a Love of Learning & New Ideas. Art develops a willingness to explore what has not existed before. Art teaches risk taking, learning from one’s mistakes, and being open to other possibilities. Kids who are creative are also curious and passionate about knowing more.

4) Art is Big Business. At the core of the multi-billion dollar film and video game industry are artists creating images and stories. Every commercial product is designed by artists from chairs to cars, space stations to iPods. A Van Gogh painting sold for 83 million dollars.

5) Art Develops the Whole Brain. Art strengthens focus and increases attention, develops hand-eye coordination, requires practice and strategic thinking, and involves interacting with the material world through different tools and art mediums.

6) Art Improves Holistic Health. Art builds self-esteem, increases motivation and student attendance, improves grades and communications, nurtures teamwork, and strengthens our relationship to the environment.

7) Art Supports Emotional Intelligence. Art supports the expression of complex feelings that help kids feel better about themselves and helps them understand others by “seeing” what they have expressed and created. Art supports personal meaning in life, discovering joy in one’s own self, often being surprised, and then eliciting it in others.

8) Art Builds Community. Art reaches across racial stereotypes, religious barriers, and socio-economical levels and prejudices. Seeing other culture's creative expression allows everyone to be more connected and less isolated - "we see how we are all related." Art creates a sense of belonging.

9) Art Awakens the Senses. Art opens the heart and mind to possibilities and fuels the imagination. Art is a process of learning to create ourselves and experience the world in new ways. Arts support the bigger picture view of life: beauty, symbols, spirituality, storytelling, and helps us step out of time allowing one to be present in the moment. Art keeps the magic alive.

10) Art is Eternal. Creativity and self-expression has always been essential to our humanity. Our earliest creative expressions were recorded in petroglyphs, cave paintings, and ancient sculptures. One of the first things kids do is draw, paint, and use their imaginations to play.

Mark Wagner © 2008

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Another Recent Photo

2008-08-18T13:38:00.000-07:00

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Aero-Geodetic Corp. recently was so kind and generous (donation) to take a photo of our chalk drawing from their plane flying above 1000 feet. S0 cool, the file they gave me is 125 MB. Click on this image to see a larger one.

There has been industrial truck traffic over the tail area of the drawing and if you look really close you can see someone standing on the salamander's left front toes.

The KIDS' CHALK ART PROJECT is beginning to think about what's next. We are looking into creating a book about the year in chalk and a documentary film. Stay tuned.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Two Months Later

2008-08-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

Words & Images

2008-07-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

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I am just returning to the blog. After such a big push in making this epic chalk project happen I have been catching up on things that I let go of and beginning other work (concept art on a Pixar/Disney project).

The chalk drawing is still there out on the Base, it will be there for months until the rains come. I recently visited the site and took some photos. One thing I am really glad of is that we kept words off the artwork. I'd tell the kids, "no words, pokemon, or spungebobs."

Some kids would moan when I said this, especially the pokespunge kids. I'd say, "I am sure you are great at drawing them, they are cool and were actually created by other artists just like you, but what we would like here is for you to use your own imagination."

Even during the last day of the event when we had 1800 come and work on the piece, we got on the sound system and reminded people to not use words or these other images. But after we were done and gone, people have come out and drawn and there are words all over the place, mostly on the outside areas of the drawing. Mostly personal names, some words, and a few political

My creative hit about words and images is that words are easier. Take teh fact that there are NO ART TEACHERS in the elementary schools and math and reading are focused on. We are not supporting our kids to think visually in a world that is image driven. Vision is our primary sense. I think of the Waldorf schools and how they keep movies and TV and advertisement away from kids in their early development and emphasis stories, myths, songs, movement, and art to educate the child's soul.

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When You Have Dream, Come Find Me

2008-06-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

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Ken Duffy (Frank Synopsis on Flickr) took this shot from a commercial airline and tracked me down to send it my way. So cool, what a great photo, highest and best so far. It's really wonderful for me to see this, a vision come true, a vision come into this world.

I may of mentioned this before, but as I talked to all the kids that came to the event to help over the two weeks, I thanked them for helping a dream of mine come true (something that I couldn't do by myself). I also told them that when they had a dream that they should come find me and I'll help them do it.

I've been reflecting on the community creation aspect of the project, that an entire community (approx. 6000 people, over 1/2 of them elementary school kids) helped to create one large piece of art together - big enough to be seen from outer space. I am inspired!

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Fading Away Into All Animal Mountains

2008-06-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

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The colors and the event are fading away. Hard to believe it finally happened after so much time and energy and people, and now something on the other side of doing, it's done.

Today we are submitting the Guinness World Record material. We have been gathering photos, witness documents, filling out paper work, attaching survey reports, and making eveything easy for the Guinness people to just say - looks great, congratulations!

There are now tire tracks on the drawing. For two weeks we had the keys to lock the gate to the site which only had one gate in and out. Now it basically belongs to the people, though the Navy still officially owns the property.

I am excited to now have some freelance work as concept artist with Pixar/Disney working on early development for a feature film. The summer is here, school is out, my kids are scattered about with friends and summer camps coming up.

I know we did good by all of this. We touched a great many people, especially kids that is a powerful way to invest creatively into the future. It was such an epic adventure. Like climbing a mountain, not sure if I/we could actually do it, then it happens, we do, we did.... and this then becomes something of the past but more importantly, it becomes something internal for everyone who worked on it.

I think it's a seed that is planted inside that grows into all mountains, into all climbers, into other big animals, big art, big creative spirit energy that we all put into everything we do, into our other dreams, into this moment and the next.

Creative Blessings,
~Mark

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STORYTIME: The Journey Home, Remember?

2008-06-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

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STORYTIME: The Journey Home, Remember?

Once upon a time there were two kids who were exploring beyond where they had ever been and… they got lost. They couldn’t remember how to get home, and as your storyteller – I can’t remember how this story ends, so I need your help!

For three days and nights they walked, and finally came across an old house where an Old Lady and Old Man lived. The children stay for several days and helped out around the house. Imagine being one of the kids and helping out old people, what would you do?

Would you do the dishes, lift heavy things, garden, paint the house, what color? Would you chalk draw for them, tell them stories, would you listen to their stories?

Then the children were finally ready to leave. The Old Man gave them a FIRE SALAMANDER, which is one of the oldest living creatures on this planet. It is described as a living dinosaur. There is new salamander in this millennium, it’s called a Tiger Salamander, it’s an endangered species that lives right here in the wetlands of Northern California.

The Old Lady gave them a leaf from a GINKGO TREE, which is one of the oldest living plants on this planet; it’s 270 million years old! There are gingko trees here in Alameda. Some gingko (ginkgo biloba) is used to help us think well – it’s a plant that helps in remembering.

The kids put the salamander and the leaf together and guess what happened?
Yup… the salamander ate the leaf and must have remembered something
because it took off running the kids followed close behind.

Then, one by one, each of the elementary schools’ mascot/totem animals
shows up to help the kids remember how to get home.

The Edison Otter helps them have fun and not worry.
The Washington Tiger helps them be courageous.
The Otis Owl helps them to see at night and be wise.
The Bayfarm Dolphin helps them cross the water and learn about love.
The Henry Haight Eagle flies high and helps them see the big picture.
The Franklin Falcon helps them communicate to each other
The Lum Bear reminds them to rest and learn about dreaming.
The Paden Pelican teaches the kids about working together.
The Ruby Bridges Star lights their way at night and points the way.

And Saint Joseph reminds the children that they are “already home because
they are connected to nature.” (said by a child)

And how does the story end? Remember, I can’t remember, it’s up to you using
your CREATIVITY & IMAGINATION.

Told to the elementary school children of Alameda CA
Mark Wagner © 2008

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Youth in Arts - Italian Street Painting Festival

2008-06-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

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On Sunday I went over to the Youth in Arts - Italian Street Painting Festival in San Rafael CA. It's one of the largest chalk drawing festival in the States and has been going on for 15 years. Excellent festival, excellently produced. Artist work two days or more on their own work and space which is approx. 9 x 12 ft, featured artists larger.

Last year Clayton Thiel and I were the featured artists, we created a 16 x 20 ft. piece that included twelve 3D buddha heads made of plaster and fiber glass. See more

After finishing our epic big World Record chalk drawing last week, it was so nice to go to this festival that I usually do work at, and just walk around, watching artists draw, taking lots of photographs, and sit and watch people watching artists. Wonderful way to just be. I did bring along photos of our piece and loved showing them to other chalk artists who more than anyone could really get what we just accomplished!

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361 Updated FlickR Photographs

2008-06-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

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Just uploaded 361 photos to our FlickR Gallery.
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Satellite Photograph

2008-06-13T18:37:00.000-07:00

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This is our Satellite Photograph. It didn't happen the day of the event as planned due to technological difficulties but it did happen yesterday. Still, pretty cool to see our drawing seen from outer space, photographed from a satellite! Thank you GeoEye!

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Dust to Dust

2008-06-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

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It will be interesting to watch our large chalk drawing fad over time back into the elements. The wind and sun will continue to wear it down until the rains come in the late fall to take more of it away.

I love that this piece is temporary, I think that is what made it even more special is that it's here now and and it's already fading into our memory and back into the runway of the decommissioned Naval Air Base.

I also love that we made some big art on an old military base - good reuse!

NO SATELLITE PHOTOGRAPH YET.

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6000 Re-Generations

2008-06-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

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Salamander Eye

Someone told me about how a salamander is the only vertebrate that can regrow a lost limb, that's pretty powerful stuff. I have a sense that what happened with our big chalk drawing was/is that we regenerated a creative part of ourselves that was like a lost limb, as individuals and perhaps ever more importantly, as a community creating together.

Our "official" artist/body count is 5678 people, with 3863 elementary school kids, parents, teachers, and 1816 people on Sat. That's so cool! I add another 250 + with our team and other people coming to draw over the two weeks. So I call it 6000 artists working together to create something one could not create by themselves and only in collaboration.

We had a team wrap meeting last night. We each told our memorable moments, we laughed a lot, acknowledged each other, spoke about what worked and what didn't work. All in all it was an awesome, amazing, and transformative project.

I can take credit for the initial idea (though that was a string of separate pieces of information that all come together in a vision), now add 6000 people plus another 1000 + people who heard about it, supported it from afar, worked behind the scenes, drove the buses, did the interviews, worked on the accounting, talked to other people, help out with insurance and licenses, wrote contracts, called other people, and had a limb in the project.

And add at least one dog.

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Supported by the Universe

2008-06-10T06:44:00.000-07:00

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Kite photograph by Michael Layefsky

Aerial Photograph by Mark Wagner

I got up in an airplane on Sunday and this is what I saw! I used two cameras and photographed as much as I could. On the last pass I put the cameras down and just took it in, a very sweet moment. Good job everyone, well done!

We are still waiting for the satellite photograph. I heard they had a glitch and will be taking another photograph today. I'll post it when I get it.

What now? I am beginning to clean up my office (chalk central), front yard (chalk central), hallway and closet (chalk central), and garage (chalk central). I was fortunate in the way the Universe supported me in this project. My family began a remodel of our house and we needed to move out. We found a house to rent right on the Base near where the chalk drawing was to happen. I was the closest person to the site which was very cool and convenient for me. Even when I flew overhead in the airplane, I saw my family and dog running out in front of the house on the street and waving.

I 'd like to plug another personal project here. As I have worked on this project for the last two years, I have also finished my first book which is now for sale. It's titled, "THE ART OF BEING A DAD (the First Seven Years). On sale now for $24.95 only through my dad book web site - www.theartofbeingadad.com

Creative Blessings to Everyone!
~Mark

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WORLD RECORD - We Did It!

2008-06-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

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Morning Circle with Team

Well, we did it! After a five year vision, two years of hard work, thousand and thousands of kids, hundreds of parents, volunteers, friends and family, an amazing team, a dog, the City of Alameda, the US Navy, sponsors, the PTA, school district, and excellent weather, and so much more - we just set a new World Record!

We will now gather our information and submit it to Guinness to see if we set their record.

Top Two Photos by Michael Layefsky

I was the first person on site (I was also the last person to leave) and unlocked the gate for the last time. There was an about two hours of set up, making sure everything was as it should be. I can't say enough about the support we got from everyone, from friends and family, from the extended community - it was truly a sight to behold. Everything about this project was good medicine - kids, community, and the creative spirit. We basically couldn't go wrong.

We did have several incidents though, we gave out THREE BAND-AIDS!

People started to just flow in, checking in at the greeting tables, reading our information boards, and then going out onto the site, finding chalk that was stashed around, and they started to draw. We had donated an excellent sound sysytem and I got to make the play list with all the music that I love and know works well with making art, dropping in, and having easier access to one's creativity - almost all non-vocal work, movie sound tacks, ambient, and trance.

People came from all over. The mom (on left) came down from Napa to make art with four teenagers.

Having a huge canvas that the community could create together on was something that I hadn't quite thought about or seen until it happened. A biog opportunity to create and express, alone or with family.

There is/was something here, something I can only now barely sense, something about a community being creative together, something else that is created, not just the imagery, but an collective energy.

Chalk seems to be a perfect medium, it gets color in your hands, get you outside, bending over or sitting down on the Earth, it's temporary, here now, then fads away and disappears over time.

My youngest kid and me at the heart of the critter.

Cristin speaking at the opening/closing ceremony.

At 11:o0am we started to pull people off the site to get ready for our satellite photograph at 11:20am. There were 800-1000 people who lined up holding hands. I introduced the project, told a story about a salamander and a gingko leaf, and acknowledged the team and our sponsors. At the 11:20, we stood quiet and breathed in and out this big creative community adventure.

The famous chalk and mural artist and friend, Tracy Stum. Tracy holds the Guinness World Record for the largest chalk drawing created by a single artist.

Two of my main supporters.

Maria and Kevin - Documentary Film

Over the last several days I have been thanking the larger groups of kids for helping me with this big dream, and that when they have a big dream for themselves, to come find me and I'll help!

Well, that's it for now. I have had lots of insights already. I'll blog daily for a couple of more days to share more. I'll post the satellite photograph when I receive it (hopefully this week). The production of this event was awesome, and went over without a hitch and that is because we were so organized!

Thank you everyone and everything in helping us out, all the seen and unseen worlds, it's been way too much fun. What incredible kids and adults I have meet and have had the honor to create with! I am not who I was when I started this.

End of the Story: the lost kids remembered that they were already home because they were connected to the some of the oldest living life on the planet, and connected to their creativity and imagination.

May we all be blessed more than ever with the Creative Spirit in our lives.

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We Are Here Now - Celebrating the Creative Spirit

2008-06-07T06:27:00.001-07:00

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Last school to visit the site.

View from the Control Tower

View from Building #25

Well we did it, with the help of over 3000 elementary school kids and the community of Alameda, we created the World's Largest Chalk Drawing.

Whew.... speechless and proud of the kids, myself, my team, and the Great Creative Spirit!

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Day One - Last Day Until Tomorrow

2008-06-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

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I like that line, "Last Day Until Tomorrow", isn't it so true. Tomorrow is really just another day, it's also the end of a two year push into this project and a five year vision.

I could write a book about it all and I just may later, but for now I'll just say WOW, WE DID IT! I thanked the kids that helped with the chalk drawing, thousands of them, I said if they ever had a big dream, they should come and find me, I'll help out!

Above photo is from on top of building #25. Our Salamander and new Gingko leaf is hard to see photographed from the back (how rude!) but here it is, all chalk dusted and closer to being finished.

Today we will be outlining everything and it will really come to life.... and be able to be seen from outer space! Satellite photo at 11:20 am tomorrow. We finished yesterday with a team meeting about producing the event tomorrow. Everything is looking good.

One of my oldest friends from art school, Rev. Alexandra Childs, doing her evening prayers.

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Finish Line Drawning in Sight - 2 Days to Go

2008-06-05T06:09:00.000-07:00

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You might be asking, how much chalk? A lot of chalk!

Two more days to go. I still wake up at 5am and my mind starts to race about what still needs to be done. The only thing that worked this morning was to pull my dog near and put my head up against the back of his head and to meditate on something else - got me another 1/2 hour of rest.

I stayed up late with a team member who helped me with information signs that we will be using on site; like who are we, what are we doing, and why art is good for kids and the World.

I am noticing many things throughout the evolution of this amazing project. Yesterday I saw boys who are into sports drawing a baseball field. This is one of the great things about art, it's not about being an "artist," it's about enjoying the expression of things that you love.

The boys with cameras on poles showed up and we all got some awesome shots, long shadows as the sunset right over the city line of San Francisco. Best day and evening weather so far, really nice!

I realized this project and salamander/gingko drawing has it's own living mascot. Zander.

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Filling Space with Color over Time

2008-06-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

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We start off in a circle around the heart of our BIG Salamander (remember and imagine 90,000 sq. ft - almost two football fields). Kids are so cool, some of the parents and teachers stand around and have to be gently encouraged to get color on their hands and draw on the ground, but kids.... they just go, they are animals around a new box of brightly colored chalk.

I am showing each group of kids (could be 10 groups in a day) our Salamander & Gingko drawing, pointing to the corners of our piece so they can see how big it really is.

It's now Weds. AM and we are ahead of schedule, the kids want more space, they want to draw big drawings, they are disappointed when I herd them back to the group and to where we are drawing.

Today is a light load of kids, next two final days after that are full mornings packed with young creative souls. Thurs. we have almost 440 elementary school kids coming to draw.

The issue is having enough drawing space on Sat. when we are expecting a few thousand people show up ready to draw. My new idea is to make a frame around our drawing and let that be filled in. We will also need help in filling in all the empty spaces on our large drawing.

Photo credits: top two- Mike Rosati, bottom - Michael Layefsky
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Day Eight of Twelve with Chalk

2008-06-03T06:01:00.000-07:00

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Another day on site. Franklin Elementary School showed up in force, everyone coming and leaving before noon. Franklin is the school my kids go/went to, it's the school I first started to chalk draw with kids and where I create a year long artist-in-residency that had a big impact on me creatively that was part of the reason for this big vision.

Sasha and Cristin are two of the queenpins to make this entire event happen. Rev. Sasha Childs is working with the art and spirit side of things, and Cristin is the Project Manager. Cristin has been on the project for almost two years.

ABC Channel 7 "View from the Bay" showed up yesterday and filmed live. We had kids after school from a Special Ed High School, preschool, and Girls Inc.

We are on target, actually ahead, and doing great budget wise. It's a big relief, I can see the finish line, and there is still lots to do before Sat. We are having a team meeting Thurs. night to see what still needs to happen before the big event.

Zander helping out, catching wind blowing erasers!
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Second Week - Right On

2008-06-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

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Sunday was a good work day. Lots of excellent help and really cool people. A friend mentioned that it was really nice to see some old friends and not just sit around and talk but to draw and color while talking.

We are filling in empty spaces and we'll be doing this the entire week. The above piece looks great!

Music, Art, Suntan lotion, and a wind breaker!

This is what our negative space looks like now. I like the color. We'll outline the piece and put in a drop shadow the last two days.

Daughter and Mother

One tired amazing loyal friend!
www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Today - Family & Friends

2008-06-01T07:17:00.001-07:00

•(top photograph by Michael Layefsky)

Drawn by a big kid (adult)

Sunday, we are having a friends and family work/play day (everyone can come). We have a mission to cover all the space around the salamander with rolled, watered-down chalk. This will make out piece "pop" like crazy!

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Day Four - A Thousand Pictures

2008-05-31T07:07:00.000-07:00

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pictures worth a thousand words
pictures of a thousand pictures

(last two photographs by Michael Layefsky)

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Sweet Moments In-Between

2008-05-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

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A light day today with kids, a few minutes to rest and have some sweet moments in-between. I left my lights on while running music out of my truck and guess what... luckily a lady in green bug was able to help me out and get me up and running - thank you! We begin again tomorrow, onward to chalk heaven.

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Day Two in the Zone

2008-05-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

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Day Two:
I found myself on site at 9am without any volunteer support and thought a class was about to arrive. Freaked out a little, our support did show, and the kids arrived safe and sound and we had a good work day - great kids, great parent, volunteer, and teacher support.

The community is extremely supportive. Rosenblum's is housing our chalk nearby in their warehouse. Doug D. with the Navy helped me get 30 + delineators (cones) to secure our site from cars that are ready to drive right over our project.
(Tetra Tech let us barrow these - thanks).

Thurs. will be a lighter kid load.

Sunday, June 1, we are inviting friends and family to come and work with us from 9am - noon +.
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Hit the Ground Drawing

2008-05-27T20:34:00.000-07:00

Well it happened, or I should say its happening. After a five year vision, two years of hard work, we hit the ground drawing today. Lum Elementary School showed up in force, it seemed like all kids showed up at once! We circled up, said words of gratitude, and started to color in our salamander's right foot.

The kids were great, lots of parent support with AC Transit helping with busing.

One day down and ten more to go. Almost hard to believe it all, a big dream.

Something special happened after all the kids left, part of a huge rainbow appeared high in the sky, and then another one - this one a full circle around the sun. I thought it must be magic and that is was the colored chalk from the kids and the wind.

Zander Dog
www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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Memorial Day

2008-05-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

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Memorial Day, remembering those who have died for our country so that we can be free. I was wondering this morning about remembering all the artists who have lived for our country and the world so that we can be free.

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Using a Grown Man as a Piece of Chalk

2008-05-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

OK, it's happening! Our permit is FINALLY complete. I chalk drew with over 750 elementary school kids over the last 3 days. We reworked our salamander drawing, it was looking too frog like, and yesterday we outlined it on site! We also got our large grant of $10,000 increased to $15,000!

OK, this is too much fun. That's me drawing using a grown man as a piece of chalk! I am pushing Clayton on a cart while he holds a large piece of chalk, and we go from point to point that the other folks have marked out for us. Too much fun!

Chalk and water rolled out for our initial outline - works really good!

www.reenchantingtheworldthroughart.org
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2008-05-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

Drawing at Lum elementary school yesterday (and today). Windy, very rough playground, chalk disappeared quickly, great time for all.

Love those teacher's boots!

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Chalk Fools, Tests, and a New Sketch

2008-05-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

We have a new sketch and I took another photograph from the other building across the way, very cool to have a great camera view of it all.

Later a few men on the chalk team did a test with chalk, water, and rollers. We are thinking this will be a great way to handle our negative space (area around the creature, in this sketch it's black) and let the kids to inside the salamander.

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Circles of Creation

2008-05-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

Last week a painting of a large nude woman sold for 33 million dollars. That's a lot of money. One source said the United States Government has spent 443 billion dollars in the current wars. That's a lot of money. We just bought more chalk yesterday for $2,400. That's a lot of money and... a lot of chalk.
~M
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