RESIDENTS gathered to make a positive mark in Wokingham at the weekend as local people took part in a community pavement art experience.
The marketplace became a chalk drawing art gallery, on Sunday, thanks to Chalk About it.
It’s an event that links art with mental wellbeing, and highlights the importance of finding creative outlet for feelings and emotions that may be difficult to express.
Everyone was encouraged to make their mark, and to enjoy interacting with others in the community.
The theme of the project this year was Tree of Life.
Councillor Sally Gurney, Chair of the Arts said:
“It was a really lovely event.
“Artists Catherine and Phil from Urban Canvas came and sketched out the outline of a huge tree face, an illustration in the style of the Green Man, with spaces in the branches and roots, where visitors could create their own work.”
As well as the tree, there were thought bubbles for people to fill with their own creations, thoughts and feelings.
“There were so many amazing pictures,” she continued
“There was lots of positivity, but also places where people had obviously felt able to express feelings that had been upsetting for them,” cllr Gurney continued.
The chalk drawings will be erased by the first rains of Autumn.
“That’s one of the reasons we hold the event at this time of year.
“The wonderful thing about this kind of art is that it does get washed away with the rain.
“The art when it’s there is amazing, and we enjoy it in the moment and we record it with photographs.
“But the feelings that have been poured out into the drawings will all be gently melted away with the rain.”
Around four hundred visitors to the event contributed to the community project.
“It was fantastic having the artists from Urban Canvas, and people from charities MIND and ARC on hand to chat with people.
“We’ve had some lovely feedback from people about how much they appreciated them being there.”
The artwork can still be seen in the Market Place, until it rains.
