5 Things To Know: Greg Manley on Chalk-Drawing

The Fifth Annual Chalk Walk at Center Place drew close to 125 artists of all ages at the lake surrounding the Sandy Rodriguez Center at 601 Vonderburg Drive.

In all, more than 200 people joined in the festivities outside the center, which houses both the and the .

“It’s another way for us to get our families together and it’s a free event, so you can’t beat that,” said Center Place’s executive director, Dawn Galia, about the annual chalk walk. 

Brandon Patch was on hand to preserve in digital photo many of the masterpieces. Also, to stop for a moment to discuss the craft of chalk-drawing with Armwood High School art teacher Greg Manley, who each year draws the welcoming chalk walk message on the first slab of sidewalk concrete outside the center’s side door.

Manley serves, too, on the center’s board of directors.

So, what’s the five top things to know about creating art with chalk? According to Manley:

1. You can do a lot with it.
2. You don’t have to wait for it to dry.
3. You can blend and mix colors as you go.
4. It’s a very forgiving medium.
5. It’s quick.

Oh, and one more thing, Manley sad. “When you get tired of it, the rain washes it away.”