The Lumberjack

Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Culture

For two decades, local artists have come to the Arcata Plaza each fall to cover the sidewalks in chalk; they will come again October 6. Rain or shine, artists will help the annual Pastels on the Plaza festival celebrate its 20th anniversary at 9:00 Saturday morning.

Pastels on the Plaza pairs artists with sponsoring businesses to produce individual artworks on the concrete surrounding the city square, raising money for a local non-profit.

The event is the largest annual fund-raiser for North Coast Children's Services (NCS), bringing $20,000 to help children, said Executive Director Kathy Montagne.

Montagne said, the money helps pay for Headstart programs, preschool tuition, and child-care for children under five.

Pastels on the Plaza began in 1987, when Montagne and Sue Williams conceived the event after seeing the I Madonari chalk festival in Santa Barbara. I Madonari is a yearly event where artists collaborate to craft large recreations of classical paintings in front of the Santa Barbara Mission.

The most striking differences with Pastels on the Plaza, Montagne said, are the smaller scale of the artworks and their individuality.

Similar events have sprung up in Chico and Ukiah, directed by people who started with Montagne in Arcata.

"It's all about being creative for the benefit of the community," Montagne said.

Arcata City Councilman Paul Pitino said the event is a positive thing for the whole community. Pitino said he and his family have been enjoying Pastels on the Plaza each fall since moving to Arcata, 14 years ago.

Pitino said his favorite year was 1994, when his oldest son drew a square for Smug's Pizza. "He had a great time," Pitino said, "and he produced a beautiful piece of art."

HSU Art Professor Keith Schneider drew a square for Toby and Jack's (a Bar on the Plaza) in the late 80s, and said he also had a great experience. He said that the creative challenge was in incorporating icons from the sponsor in original artwork. Schneider said the festival gives local artists an opportunity to show their skills on an unusual canvas. Schneider said he doesn't participate anymore because of the physical strain of hours at a time being spent hunched over the sidewalk. "There are lots of artists that want to do it," Schneider said. "I just can't stay on my knees for that long."

The variety of artists and styles is what makes the Pastels on the Plaza so great year after year, said Julie Bair of Los Bagels, a 15-year sponsor of the event.

"It's really neat because the art can last for a week or more," Bair said, "we are happy to contribute." Bair said that Los Bagels sponsoring a square in the event has been good for business, and that they are much busier than usual that weekend.

The Farmer's Market also sees more business during the event, said T. Griffin, a spokesperson for the group that runs the market.

"We love Pastels on the Plaza," Griffin said. "It's good for everyone."

Griffin said the market will move a block over to give the community space for the fundraiser, but will return to the plaza afterwards until their final market the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Kathy Montagne said that she credits part of the success of Pastels on the Plaza to the cooperation of the Farmer's Market.

"There is a magical moment," Montagne said, "when the community comes together and the spirit of congenial cooperation emerges."

Brett Shiells can be contacted at bretteley@gmail.com