2008 marks the 5th year that Festival Bella Via has graced the streets and plazas of downtown Monterrey, Mexico. It was my pleasure, as always, to participate as an invited artist, and this year as artistic coordinator for the guest artists. I’ve been working with Rosy Loyola, Rosa Maria Leal and their entire organization since the beginning, back in 2004, and I really feel like they are my second family now! This event has proven to be a true star in the street painting festival constellation – one of the most creative and fun events I attend every year. I deeply appreciate the support from Natividad González Parás, current Governor of the State of Nuevo Leon, and the Dirección de Vinculación Internacional, for their dedication and commitment to providing this exciting and free arts event to the community.

(These images were from a Teotihuacan exhibit at the Fundadora Exhibition Center that I was able to attend.)

After a smashing success last year with a reproduction of Michelangelo’s ‘La Capilla Sixtina’ – this year Rosy asked us to contribute ideas that could top that achievement.  The overwhelming consensus was that it was time to highlight Mexican national artwork at this years event. With this start, the artwork of Jesus Helguera was put forth and unanimously agreed upon as an interesting subject to translate into spectacular street paintings. Helguera’s work is widely known in Mexico for his illustrated calendars depicting Mayan Indians and traditional Mexican themes. Street painting would be a great way to celebrate a marginalized, and almost forgotten, artist of the people!

This year’s visiting artists were comprised of street painters from US, Cuba and Italy. The US participants were Joel Yau, Cuong Nyugen, Genna Panzarella, Jay Schwartz, Anthony Cappetto and myself. The artists from Cuba were renowned painter Agustin Bejarano and his wife, painter Aziyade Ruiz Vallejo. The artist representing Italy this year was Valentina Sforzini, a yearly participant in the International Street Painting Festival in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy. Along with these visiting artists, Monterrey’s representatives were Carlos Humberto Garcia, Marina Escamilla, Margarita Botello, Bernardo Ramonfaur, Juandres Vera and his wife, Marisol Antillon. Junadres, a very talented artist, was the grand prize winner of Festival Bella Via 2007 and had traveled to the Youth In Arts Festival in San Rafael, CA earlier in the year as a guest participant. It was great painting next to him and watching his lovely masterpiece unfold.

The featured artists.

Despite some rain on Saturday, everyone persevered. The artists participating in the contest were certainly getting some experience with chalk in challenging conditions! Congratulations to all of the participants this year for a job very well done. To view this year’s winners:

http://www.nl.gob.mx/?P=bellavia_2008

Bella Via’s illustrious competition judges.

Popular with the populace, most people know of Helguera’s work: one viewer stopped by a street painter working on Caballero Aguila and told the story of how her father used to have a calendar with that exact painting on it when she was a little girl. It reminded her of her childhood and her father – she said she was grateful for the memory. And isn’t that what it’s all about – connecting with community?

All of the street painters who participated this year.

The 100th Anniversary of the Governor’s Palace laser presentation – projected directly onto the Governor’s Palace! This was happening every night at 9:00pm for an entire month – free to the public and very cool.

View videos of this event:

Are you interested in finding street painting festivals in the US and abroad? These are some of my favorites:

www.nl.gob.mx/bellavia

Festival Bella Via, Monterey, Mexico – This large street painting festival has been an annual event in the ‘Barrio Antigua’ of Monterey since 2004. Boasting international participants and hundreds of national artists, this quality arts event attracts over 70,000 attendees each year. Bella Via also provides an opportunity for hundreds of school children throughout Nuevo Leon, including special needs children, to participate as well. A juried artist competition with various categories and awards caps off this spectacular event.

www.youthinarts.org

Youth in Arts hosts their annual street painting festival in June every year. With over 200 paintings created on the streets of San Rafael, California and over 60,000 attendees, it is not to be missed. While attracting the best street painting talent in the US and from abroad, this festival provides music entertainment, food and an Italian marketplace.

www.imadonnarifestival.com

Children’s Creative Project executive director, Kathy Koury, the woman behind bringing street painting to the US back in 1987, has been spear heading this Santa Barbara signature event on Memorial Day weekend for over 22 years. Attracting over 400 participants this festival showcases outstanding artwork, entertainment, food and location, making it a perfect destination for a Memorial Day weekend getaway. Kathy Koury also offers festival consultation services if you are interested in starting your own community street painting event.

http://www.streetpaintingfestivalinc.org/Home.htm

The Lake Worth Street Painting Festival has been an annual event in downtown Lake Worth, Florida since 1994. Attracting local artists, students and guest artists from across the country, this non-profit event provides a unique arts experience for the community. Sponsorship dollars help make possible the Street Painting Festival Scholarships as well as community projects associated with the revitalization of the City of Lake Worth. Entertainment, food and location ensure an enjoyable experience.

http://www.artalongtherogue.com

Held annually in downtown Grants Pass, Oregon, this festival attracts over 10,000 visitors each year; featuring street paintings from local artists, students and nationally known professionals. Incredible musical entertainment completes this exciting event.

http://www.bmoa.org/stories/storyReader$48

An annual event in Bakersfield, California and sponsored largely by the Bakersfield Museum of Art, along with local businesses. This competition festival attracts top west coast talent, along with local artists, students and children. Additional musical entertainment makes this a great family outing.

http://www.carlsbadartsplash.org

A Southern California festival held above the flower fields in beautiful Carlsbad. Complete with music, food, fine art vendors and family entertainment, this festival provides a free event for the local community.

www.hkyaf.com

Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation is a charity organization that provides high-quality, non-competitive arts experiences for all young people aged 5 to 25. Through support from Swire Properties they have established a street painting event in Hong Kong to support their cause.