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Poetter Hall was purchased by the SCAD founders in March 1979. Classes began in September of that year.  
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Trivial Pursuits

Trivial Pursuits
 
SAF winners share tips


 


By Monique Bos
Published: Friday, April 29, 2005

Three winners from last year’s Sidewalk Arts Festival agreed to share a few of their success secrets for students, alumni and prospective students participating in this year’s festival.

Adam Smith, a metals and jewelry major from Worcester, Pa., collaborated with fellow students Frank Donnangelo, Hilary White and Ryan Jahn to create the first-place square in the student group category.

He advised participants to plan ahead. “We had an idea for a long time, but met two nights before the festival to finalize it and work out all the kinks,” he said.

Jason Kofke, who won the drawing minor award, said he also plans his design ahead of time each year.

“I measure the square(s) and design a composition [that is] proportionate,” he said. ”Then I make templates of the big shapes proportionate to the square, and I use the grid technique to get my image from the sketch to the square.”

Michael Kessler, who placed second in the prospective student category last year, said that although he wasn’t sure what he would draw on the sidewalk, he relied on a design he had already started to develop.

“I decided on what to draw about five minutes after I got my chalk,” he said. “I had done a simple pastel drawing that I was going to eventually remake at full scale/quality. I ended up using that as my design for the sidewalk square.”

The artists also recommended careful budgeting and use of chalk.

“I wish I had been more sparing on my chalk,” Kessler said. “I ran out of some colors too quickly.”

“Our particular design used a lot of black chalk, so we found ourselves haggling with other artists to trade for their black,” Smith said. “Be ready to sacrifice some of the chalk you’re not using for the sake of your work.“

Kofke said he takes “plastic bags, water, cups and a hammer. This allows me to crush up the chalk (in the bags) and use the powder as pigment to mix into water, thus turning the chalk into paint. I also use chalked string for mapping out straight lines and templates for filling in big shapes.”

In addition to art supplies, several other items can help keep squares tidy and minimize wear and tear on the artist.

Kofke advised that participants take “a broom, to keep your square clean.”

“I would recommend using hairspray to spray over the work after it’s done,” Smith said. “It will help prevent smudging.”

Kessler, who drew on leaves he found in Forsyth Park and incorporated them into his drawing, said, “The sidewalks are pretty rough and can beat up your hands.” Fingerless gloves, bandages and other items that cushion skin from the sidewalk may help prevent blisters and calluses.

In the end, however, the artists agreed that what matters most is enjoying the festival.

“Relax, draw for yourself,” Kessler said.

“Prepare — and think ahead if you want to have some control over the clumsy medium,” Kofke said. “Or just make a mess if you want to have fun. In the end, it all gets washed away, so keep that in mind and have fun while it lasts.”