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Historic collaboration unites two cultural pillars of street art

Historic collaboration unites two cultural pillars of street art

National meeting of Madonnari Prize winners in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy, with three of the nine prize winners, Emanuela Cerutti from Italy, Sonja Mazereel from Belgium and Julie Kirk Purcell from the United States, on stage during the awards ceremony

Madonnari National Meeting in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy, with the prizewinners Emanuela Cerutti from Italy, Sonja Mazereel from Belgium and Julie Kirk Purcell from the United States.

    Carlo Bottani, Mayor of Curtatone, President of the Province of Mantua and Denise Kowal, founder of Avenida de Colores, President of the Sarasota Int'l Chalk Festival sign the formal agreement at a press conference in Grazie, Italy, August 14, 202

Carlo Bottani, Mayor of Curtatone, President of the Province of Mantua and Denise Kowal, founder of Avenida de Colores, President of the Sarasota Int’l Chalk Festival, signed the formal agreement at a press conference in Grazie, Italy, on August 14, 2024.

The oversized chalk painting shows elephants, lions and tigers with elegant people on horses. Arches provide an additional illusion. Artists sit on the artwork, which creates an illusion and makes the images appear three-dimensional. Nick Wallenda and his wife E

Large chalk group project designed by Kurt Wenner for the Sarasota International Chalk Festival with artists from Italy and the United States.

By combining Madonnari tradition and innovation on a global level, a new era of street art is emerging.

This not only provides these artists with a unique opportunity to share their work with new audiences, but also increases the global appreciation of the Madonnari art form.”

— Carlo Bottani

SARASOTA, FLORIDA, USA, August 27, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ – Two of the world’s most respected organizations dedicated to the art of sidewalk chalk painting have announced an exciting new collaboration that promises to elevate and expand the cultural significance of Madonnari and chalk art on an international level.

The National Meeting of Madonnari, an iconic cultural institution in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy, (Madonnari Competition) and Avenida de Colores 501(c)(3), which takes place as the Sarasota International Chalk Festival in Sarasota, Florida, USA, (Chalk Festival) have formalized an agreement under which these two prestigious organizations will work together to preserve, promote and increase the global visibility of this unique art form.

A fusion of tradition and innovation

This groundbreaking partnership brings together the time-honored traditions of the Madonnari Competition, a cornerstone of Italian cultural heritage for over 50 years, with the innovative spirit and artistic reach of the Chalk Festival, a leader in the contemporary street art movement for over 17 years. Together, these organizations will foster deeper cultural exchange and cultivate both traditional Madonnari art and modern expressions of chalk street painting.

Global reach and cultural exchange

The collaboration will see both organizations conduct joint promotional activities and leverage their extensive networks and platforms to bring international attention to their shared mission. Carlo Bottani, Mayor of Curtatone, President of the Province of Mantua, and Denise Kowal, Founder of Avenida de Colores, President of the Sarasota Int’l Chalk Festival, signed the formal agreement at a press conference in Grazie, Italy, on August 14, 2024, the morning of Bottoni’s opening ceremony, where Kowal organized five American artists to compete.

As part of the collaboration, the winners of the Madonnari competition received a certificate that will allow them to showcase their talent at the Chalk Festival, November 8-10, in Burns Square in downtown Sarasota, FL, USA. Bottani explains, “Not only does this provide these artists with a unique opportunity to showcase their work to new audiences, but it also increases global appreciation of the Madonnari art form.” Nine artists received a certificate – four artists from Italy, one from the USA, one from Japan, two from Mexico and one from Belgium.

By participating in each other’s events, they build a strong bridge between continents, promote intercultural dialogue and expand the reach and influence of street art. This cultural exchange benefits both the artists and the wider communities they represent, fostering a shared understanding and appreciation of this ephemeral but profound art form.

Strengthening the Pavement Art Community

The agreement also emphasizes the importance of building social and cross-cultural bonds between the communities involved. By encouraging U.S. artists to participate in the annual Madonnari competition in Italy, the Sarasota International Chalk Festival continues to cultivate a global network of artists dedicated to Madonnari street art. Denise Kowal, President of the Chalk Festival, explains, “This collaboration is not just about preserving an art form, but also about continuing our mission to support a vibrant, connected community of street artists who inspire and learn from each other.”

A look into the future

This collaboration represents an important milestone in the history of both organizations and symbolizes a commitment to cultural preservation, artistic innovation and global collaboration. As the Madonnari Competition and Chalk Festival continue to grow and evolve, this partnership will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the future of street art worldwide.

For more information about the collaboration or upcoming events, visit the official websites of the National Meeting of Madonnari and the Sarasota International Chalk Festival.

Denise Kowal
Sarasota International Chalk Festival
+1 941-488-8877
[email protected]
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