Thousands Enjoyed Carlsbad's ArtSplash

Carlsbad’s ArtSplash Chalk Art and Entertainment Festival on September 28th and 29th drew thousands of visitors. The free event on Armada Drive had chalk art replicas of museum masterpieces coming to life on the street.

It also featured nonstop music and entertainment, hands-on art, fine art vendors, food and more. Shokenji Taiko Vista Buddhist Temple Drummers got ArtSplash off to a high-energy start on Saturday. Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall welcomed the crowd. The City was the title sponsor of the event. Taste@ArtSplash offered people a delicious way to support arts and music programs in North County schools; in fact, proceeds from the entire event benefit arts education. Juggler Kenny Shelton, a perennial fave, said, “I love that this is a free event and gets kids away from their video games and out into the sunshine enjoying art and being creative.” The Roeske family, who recently relocated to Poway from Michigan, said, “We learned about ArtSplash on the Internet. We love it all: the food, the variety of art, the children’s activities and what a great view!”

As professionals such as Lori Escalera worked on their street masterpieces, kids of all ages tried their hand at chalk art squares while Aaron Velazquez surmounted a tall challenge: creating a rock-balanced stack to equal his six-foot, one-inch frame – in the wind.

On Sunday there was a hot rod and muscle car show, pro skateboard demos, watermelon carving, speed painting, a silent auction, and Carlsbad’s very own “boy band” of three 13-year-olds.

–ArtSplash press release