Chalk art festival used to make a statement, to brush up on skills

Rodger Francis entered the professional division of the Capital Chalk Art Fair on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, not to win but to make a statement with his "Visit the Amazon" piece. Francis has been an artist since the mid-1980s.
Rodger Francis entered the professional division of the Capital Chalk Art Fair on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, not to win but to make a statement with his "Visit the Amazon" piece. Francis has been an artist since the mid-1980s.

Rodger Francis didn't come to win this year's Capital Chalk Art Fair. He came to make a statement.

His work of art, drawn with chalk on Ellis-Porter Riverside Park's winding sidewalk near the Missouri River, depicts a parody ad for the Amazon rain forest. "Visit the Amazon," a sign reads, with lush greenery on the bottom and flames blazing on top. A gas mask is in the right foreground.

"With everything that's been happening with the Amazon burning, and with the president of Brazil not wanting to do anything about it because 'we want the farm land,' I can't be quiet. I had to make a statement," he said.

He said humanity needs to stop letting greed get in the way of the environment.

Francis entered the competition in the professional division. He's been an artist since the mid-1980s, and his recent work has included designing Harley Davidson motorcycle T-shirts. He also recently earned a bachelor in fine arts in painting and drawing with a double minor in graphic design and art history.

Another artist at the event was Addison Spratt, a Thomas Jefferson Middle School student. She said she's been interested in art since she was little, but she has only been making chalk art for the last couple months.

Shari Spratt, her mother, said she does everything from face painting to acrylic and water color painting.

"She's just a natural talent," Shari Spratt said.

On Sunday, Addison was creating a colorful image of a ballerina dancer.

The Capital Chalk Art Fair is sponsored by Capital Arts and the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. It typically draws around 250 artists who compete for cash prizes.

It outgrew its previous location downtown and relocated to Ellis-Porter Riverside Park.

Capital Arts Executive Director LeAnn Porrello said attendees were given a drawstring backpack and chalk, as well as a meal of hot dogs, chips and soda.

Since the event was previously connected to Jazzfest, she said Capital Arts wanted music to continue to be a part of the event. Bands Toasterbath and Love-Seats performed at the event, and Jason Hollandsworth made balloon sculptures for attendees.

Professional artist Jennifer Neff also created a work of art during the event.

In the next 10 days, three judges will go over photos from each piece of art, looking at criteria such as appearance, design and completion.

The top three in each category will receive cash prizes, as well as the "best of show" winner.