Do I Have to be a Trained Artist to do Chalk Art?
Chalk (pastels) is a very forgiving form of art because it erases so easily. You don’t have to be a highly trained artist because many of the pictures are simple if you learn the basics and are willing to practice. That being said, formal art training gives a person a great foundation and the ability to learn more quickly. One of the biggest obstacles with making presentations is becoming comfortable drawing in front of people and being able to complete pictures in a short amount of time. This skill is developed with practice and experience.
There are additional ways to participate in chalk art ministry besides drawing: arranging musical soundtrack playlists, setting up sound equipment, arranging and managing the lighting, and preparing and speaking the gospel message.
Where is Gospel Chalk Art Training Provided? Chalkmart.com has a studio that offers week long courses three times each year (David LeGrand, 945 Holland Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, (336) 725-2041. I would recommend ordering the Bowman Phase I Chalk Art DVD (that you can complete at home) or attending the Teuling-Esher-Snow workshop held annually at Chalkmart art studio(usually scheduled first week of March each year). Another studio that offers training upon request is Elva’s Barnyard Art Studio & Gallery (www.elvaschalkart.com ; 1519 Brunnerville Rd., Lititz, PA 17543 ;(717)-626-6582; just north of York, PA).
What Supplies are Needed?
CHALK (a variety of lecturer’s chalk is available through Eternity Arts; $1.20 per stick);
BOGUS PAPER (a rough surface paper to which the chalk adheres; $1 per sheet at Eternity Arts)
EASEL (a simple flat surface is fine; a home-made wooden or pipe easel with plywood surface; or a portable easel for traveling to presentations – see LeGrand Easel at Chalkmart.com)
Optional items- SANDING BLOCK, LAMP/LIGHTING/BLACK LIGHT (usually comes with an easel if purchased), and a CHALK DRAWING DVD (Matt Bowman of Eternity Arts provides a simple kit at a cost of $150.00 that has 72 sticks of a variety of colors of regular chalk, 10 sheets of bogus paper, 1 sanding block,1 black light and 12-one-third pieces of blacklight chalk). The Phase I DVD Introduction costs $74.99 and has 3 DVDs and a workbook).
How Do I Start a Chalk Art Ministry?
- Invite a chalk artist to your church for a program (an amateur artist in local area or a professional chalk artist for Rally Day or VBS or another event that is held at your church).
- Identify youth and adults who have an interest in drawing. You might be surprised how many junior high and high school students have an interest in art and how many artists you have in your congregation.
- Order basic supplies and/or Phase I DVD Introduction. Have one person (preferably an adult) complete the training or attend a workshop.
- Identify a place that could be your art studio. Have someone make some simple chalk art easels (homemade; simple is fine until you are able to invest in a portable professional easel).
- Schedule a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly chalk art practice.
- Look into purchasing a portable speaker system. An mp3 player or CD player works fine, but for larger presentations a good sound system will enhance your presentation.
To order supplies and training resources : Eternity Arts – http://www.eternityarts.com (231-582-4800) and Chalkmart – http://www.chalkmart.com (336-725-2041)
Want a chalk artist to come to your church?
Make sure you communicate with artist about your church and the theme of the event you are hosting so that their message is consistent with your church’s teachings and expectations.
Chalkinitup – I am available to make presentations to audiences of five to 100 people. I especially enjoy presenting to children and youth groups. I am in the Charlotte (NC) area, located 30 minutes SW (just south of Gastonia and west of Rock Hill). Contact Ken at kennethgillikin@gmail.com .
Chalk for Christ – Chalk Artist and Ventriloquist Rod Snow (Niles, MI, www.chalkforchrist.com ; great for Rally Day event or special worship event)
If near Northern or Central Ohio – His Blank Canvas (Upper Sandusky, www.Hisblankcanvas.com ; a large canvas is used and a band is available to travel with two artists; artists are members of Trinity United Methodist Church, Upper Sandusky, OH)
Chalk Artists Directory – http://www.chalkmart.com/custom/index.cfm?id=171413
CHALKINITUP 