Chalk the Wall meant to promote creativity, community spirit

It’s not uncommon to find Christina Sharbaugh doodling with chalk on the sidewalk in front of her Aspinwall eatery, Treat Down the Street.

The graduate of Georgia’s Savannah College of Art and Design hopes her passion spreads town-wide with her new initiative, the Chalk the Wall Sidewalk Arts Festival.

Hosted May 3, the event welcomes aspiring Picassos to grab their gear and hit the pavement.

“Aspinwall comes alive through its sidewalks,” Sharbaugh said. “Seeing everyone create their masterpieces throughout the day will be exciting.”

The festival, pegged as a celebration of creativity and community spirit, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Amateurs, hobbyists and professional artists are welcome. Drawings will target Commercial and Brilliant avenues, along with Alley A.

Sharbaugh’s pitch is being paid through a $1,000 grant from Aspinwall Neighbors, a nonprofit advocacy group.

Members recently launched its Community Grants program, which empowers borough residents to bring their ideas to life. Projects are expected to positively impact neighbors, build connections and encourage volunteerism.

Initial funding for the grant was made possible by RE/MAX Select Home Realty.

Jenny Brenner, Neighbors board member, said the committee has reviewed about 10 submissions so far. Sharbaugh was awarded the inaugural prize because her idea aligned well with the group’s values and will also engage businesses throughout town, Brenner said.

“I think Aspinwall is a close-knit and creative community and I was so impressed with the number of folks who came out for a public mural we did at the ballfield,” Brenner said.

Artists will get a designated portion of a sidewalk to create their drawing, or they can collaborate with others for a group project in Alley A. That stretch was recently transformed with rain gardens.

“As a volunteer-run organization, our time is limited,” Neighbors President Sarah Shaffer said. “But there are so many community members with great ideas like this one, and we want to see as many of these ideas come to life as possible.”