CHALK ART NATION FORMALLY KNOWN AS
THE FLORIDA CHALK ARTIST ASSOCIATION
A History of Chalk Art / Street Painting in the State of Florida, USA.
Written by FCAA founder Ed Baranowski
Written by FCAA founder Ed Baranowski
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The First Street Painting Festival in Orlando was brought to us by TOC Productions headed by Jeannie Linder and was held on March 2-3 1995 with over 150 squares chalked.
For several years Rotary Fest was the only Central Florida event and artists were looking for more opportunities, so the Suntree Rotary Club in Melbourne Florida hosted an event on March 9, 2002 at the Holy Trinity Academy. Requests for more chalk festivals in Central Florida were increasing. Ed Baranowski drafted bylaws for the Central Florida Chalk Artists Association (CFCAA) to assist with the demands for new events. The first organizational meeting was held on November 10, 2002 in conjunction with the 27th Disney Festival of the Masters art event. The 23 founding members adopted the bylaws and elected officers. Ed Baranowski was elected the first President and Lee Jones was elected Vice President (President in 2006). |
FCAA - Disney Festival of the Masters 2006
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Over the years, Disney Festival of the Masters provided valued financial resources for the organization. Local art teachers (Robert T. Earl Jr., Felipe Morales, and Judi Tome among others) prepared their students. Disney hosted a super event and provided chalk, refreshments and prize money. The last Festival of the Masters event was in 2013. Disney remodeled and renovated the Disney Downtown venue (now Disney Springs) resulting in heavily textured sidewalks not conducive for street painting. Disney now hosts chalk artists during “Epcot’s International Festival of the Arts”.
At the CFCAA annual meeting on November 11, 2007, the members voted to change the name to Florida Chalk Artists Association (FCAA). When need for an International Street Painting Society (ISPS) became necessary, Jennifer Chaparrio, one of the FCAA members, took on the responsibility.
At the CFCAA annual meeting on November 11, 2007, the members voted to change the name to Florida Chalk Artists Association (FCAA). When need for an International Street Painting Society (ISPS) became necessary, Jennifer Chaparrio, one of the FCAA members, took on the responsibility.
FCAA adopted a professional designation program in 2007 patterned after the Italian model. This provides recognition and certifies a level of knowledge and time artists have put into their craft. The Florida plan provides procedures, forms, logs, and jury direction in the four (4) categories of Simplici, Qualificato, Maestre and Grand Maestre.
Artists have greatly improved from the infancy of street painting in Florida. Many FCAA members have appeared at various national and international festivals. Chalk reproductions of master pieces have given way to original compositions and 3-D illusions. High school students graduated to become professionals with agents. Florida Chalk Artists are a close-knit group offering support and encouragement to all participants. Thus, the spirit and attitude of the “Madonnari” prevails.
Ed Baranowski - 06-03-18
Janet Tombros – 08-29-20 (revision)
Artists have greatly improved from the infancy of street painting in Florida. Many FCAA members have appeared at various national and international festivals. Chalk reproductions of master pieces have given way to original compositions and 3-D illusions. High school students graduated to become professionals with agents. Florida Chalk Artists are a close-knit group offering support and encouragement to all participants. Thus, the spirit and attitude of the “Madonnari” prevails.
Ed Baranowski - 06-03-18
Janet Tombros – 08-29-20 (revision)
FCAA - Disney Festival of the Masters 2007
