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About the I Madonnari Festival

San Luis Obispo Festival

2008 I Madonnari Street Painting Festival major sponsor Rick Moses (right) of Rick Moses Development & Miller Capital Advisory, Inc. with Lauren Luker, AIACCC President

Each year in September, the plaza of the Old Mission in San Luis Obispo California is transformed with colorful, large-scale street paintings created by artists and young people. The artists or "madonnari" begin working on Saturday morning of the weekend and continue drawing throughout the two-day festival. The San Luis Obispo Mission is located at the corner of Broad and Monterey Streets. The Festival hours are from 10 am to 6 pm daily and admission is free. If you have any questions, please contact AIA at 805-541-6294.

History
Street painting has a long tradition in cities in Western Europe and probably started in Italy in the 16th century. The artists who use chalk to draw on the street are known as "madonnari" or "Madonna painters" because they reproduced icons of the Madonna, (our lady). The works are traditionally called street paintings, rather than chalk drawings or sidewalk art, because when well executed they can resemble paintings. The artists would travel from town to town and create street paintings for traditional religious and folk festivals. These artists lived (and still live) from the coins thrown onto their work in appreciation for the image and the artist's skill.

Benefits
The Children’s Creative Project and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Central Coast Chapter, both non-profit organizations, co-present the I Madonnari Festival. The Children’s Creative Project enhances the arts education programs in the San Luis Obispo County schools. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Central Coast Chapter is providing funding for an AIACCC scholarship foundation for San Luis Obispo County students.

Take Part

Sponsor

2007 I' Madonnari Street Painting Festival major sponsor Gary Politte (right) of Laurel Creek by Watt Communities and 7 Oaks Charities and Leonard Grant, AIACCC president.

You can be a Street Painting Square Sponsor to advertise your business or to celebrate a friend or family member. You can participate as a Major Festival Sponsor and receive greater promotional benefits based on your level of support. You can be a volunteer “madonnaro” or artist and create a street painting for a sponsored square. Children also can participate as street painters in a number of ways. Or you can be a festival volunteer and help us produce the event. The festival will provide the chalk and a list of street painting tools and tips for participating artists. To become a square or event sponsor, contact AIACCC at 805-541-6294.
Become a Festival Sponsor or Sponsor a Square! (460K PDF)

Artist

We invite you to apply to participate in the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival at the San Luis Obispo Mission in September. The festival will provide the chalk and a list of street painting tools and tips for participating artists.

If you can find a business, individual, or organization who would like to sponsor a square, you can be their street painter. An alternative is to sponsor a square yourself or with friends. In either case you would automatically be included as a street painter in this year’s festival.

The festival is taking applications from professional and practicing adult artists who would like to participate as a street painter in the festival. We will review your application, and if you are selected we will contact you.
Sign up to be an Artist! (68K PDF)

Volunteer

To become a volunteer, please call AIA at 805-541-6294.

Young Artists

Young people of all ages can participate as street painters in the festival. A family can sponsor a square of any size, and the street painting can be completed by one child or as a family project. A business can sponsor a square for it’s employees and their children to create a group project. Schools, religious groups, and nonprofit community organizations often sponsor squares for their students or youth programs. When a family, organization, or business sponsors a square, the festival will inscribe the sponsor’s name at the top of the square to acknowledge their support. For young children, a special street painting area is created with 2-by-2 foot squares that can be purchased during festival hours.

I Madonnari Brochures

Festival Information Contacts

Funds provided by the City of San Luis Obispo