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ABOVE: A chalk scene features a bright yellow
sun and blue ocean waves. BELOW: Chalk artists
create scenes along the Seaside Promenade.
about leading such a course last year, she
agreed with one stipulation: only if she could
bring the best pastel artist she knows.
In the Friday night class, Cordova and
Wallace will lean on their years of teaching
experience to alleviate any intimidation stu-
dents might feel and help their visions feel
scaleable onto the sidewalk.
“I talked to people about pastel techniques,
like shades, shadows and highlights and
drawing things that look like they’re actually
three-dimensional,” Wallace said. “Then we
take them outside and practice.”
The concrete canvas of the following
morning is both well-traffi cked and — at least
last year — hard-earned. Volunteers swept wet
sand off a stretch of the Prom for two hours to
render it smooth and usable for the artists.
“We learned that people washing their feet
off in front of the hotels creates a torrent of
water coming straight toward the art,” Wal-
lace said, laughing. Cordova added that sand-
bags will shield the art from such run off this
year.
While the outdoor elements may add some
stress, Cordova and Wallace hope the expo-
sure to a live audience of passersby will be
a helpful learning experience, especially for
younger artists.
“It’s a great way for them to learn that
(being watched) doesn’t matter,” Wallace
said. “You start to shrug it off after a bit.”
By mid-afternoon on Saturday, that audi-
ence may choose to vote in the contest’s Peo-
ple’s Choice category, which saw 173 votes
last year. Other categories include Best Rep-
resentation of Marine Life, Best Representa-
tion of the Spirit of Seaside and also delineate
between youth and adult categories for best
overall pieces.
This year’s judges include Steve Wright,
a Seaside city councillor; Katie McCloud,
interim chief executive offi cer at the Seaside
Chamber of Commerce; and Ken Heman,
board member of the Seaside Downtown
Development Association.
The chalk art contest is made possible
through a grant from the Juan Young Trust,
which Ousley said has already provided funds
for the contest’s possible third installment in
2023.
“May and Bev are both amazing teachers,”
Ousley said. “It’s really festive.”
Bob Weidman creates a piece of chalk art at a
previous event.
ORIGINAL FINE ART
on the waterfront • port of ilwaco, wa
marie-powell.com • 360-244-0800
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022 // 7