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First Chalk Exhibition Opens at California Natural Resources Agency Plaza

Coinciding with the annual Chalk it Up! Chalk Art & Music Festival in Sacramento over Labor Day Weekend (September 3 – 5), CADA, in partnership with the Department of General Services (DGS) and California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), will launch its first 3D chalk installation by local artist Jolene Russell. The design will be approximately 1,500 square feet and will feature eagles flying above a majestic misty forest with a rope bridge. Individuals will be able to interact with the artistic scene by walking on the drawing, and because of an unusual perspective, will appear as part of the scene. Perfect, organizers say, for “selfies.”

“We are thrilled to transform our plaza into a canvass for chalk art that celebrates California nature,” said CNRA Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “This creative use of our public space allows us to provide interactive, changing art pieces in coming months and years that will inspire us all.”

CRNA Plaza is located at the agency’s new headquarter at 715 P Street. The plaza is in an open area near 8th and O Streets. Everyone is encouraged to download the interactive Chalk it Up to Sacramento festival map showing all chalk locations at: chalkitup.org. This art program at CNRA aims to feature temporary art reflecting CNRA’s mission to preserve California’s natural and cultural resources.

Creative Services and Marketing Manager Karen Ulep stated, “As part of our neighborhood beautification program, CADA was seeking an opportunity to showcase more types of revolving art to enliven the public realm while supporting artists in an environmentally sustainable way.  So we were excited by this opportunity to partner with DGS and CNRA staff to manage the program for them.”

“The design of this new artwork is a striking addition to the beautiful CNRA building and highlights the talents of our local artists,” said DGS Director Ana M. Lasso. “We look forward to sharing the rotating art installation with all those who visit.”

If you are an artist focused on the themes of climate change and conservation and you have a temporary installation idea for the CNRA plaza, please submit your written pitch to kulep@cada.org with the subject “CNRA Plaza.”  Please note, artists who are California residents will be given preference, however, all artists will be considered.

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About DGS & CNRA

The Department of General Services acts as the business manager for the state of California. DGS helps state government better serve the public by providing services to state agencies including procurement and acquisition solutions, real estate management, leasing and design services, environmentally friendly transportation, and architectural oversight and funding for the construction of safe schools.

CNRA’s mission is to restore, protect and manage California’s natural, historical and cultural resources.

 

About CADA

Founded in 1978, CADA is a city/state Joint Powers Authority whose mission is to implement the residential and neighborhood commercial elements of the State’s Capitol Area Plan. CADA helps facilitate redevelopment and new developments within its boundaries as well as directly manages and maintains apartments, commercial/retail properties and parking spaces on state property. The CACDC’s mission is to assist the city of Sacramento and the State of California in lessening the burdens of government to revitalize the neighborhood in close proximity to the California State Capitol.

 

About Chalk it Up! to Sacramento

Chalk It Up’s (CIU) mission is to empower and support the next generation of Sacramento artists through targeted art grants for young artists and the programs that inspire them. As a non-profit arts organization, CIU is best known for the three-day chalk art festival held annually over Labor Day Weekend in downtown Sacramento’s Fremont Park since 1991. The number of visitors to this free event has grown exponentially over the last three years and is now hosting over 60,000 festival attendees.