Forty-two chalk artists will turn two blocks of downtown Grants Pass into an outdoor gallery October 2 through 4 as Art Along the Rogue returns to the Historic District. This year’s theme, “Reflections,” will take shape across the pavement alongside live music, food and 67 craft vendors.
The festival opens Friday at 4 p.m. and runs through Sunday afternoon. Artists will work in spaces along Fifth and H streets, giving visitors a chance to watch the images develop throughout the weekend. Seven artists are traveling from out of state.
Returning artists Sharyn Chan and Joel Yau will collaborate on a three-dimensional piece. Jennifer Chapparo, making her first appearance at Art Along the Rogue, will create another three-dimensional work.
The featured artists working in 12-by-12-foot spaces include first-time participant Mariah Quintanilla, along with Cole McKenzie, Mera Oliveria, Nicole Kleinman and Raziah Roushan. McKenzie received last year’s People’s Choice recognition, and his artwork will appear on this year’s festival T-shirt. Oliveria, selected by fellow artists for last year’s Artists’ Choice award, will work alongside Chapparo on Fifth Street between G Street and the alley.
That section of Fifth Street will remain closed Monday, October 5, giving visitors an additional day to see some of the festival’s featured artwork.
Nine more featured artists will create pieces in 10-by-10-foot spaces. Ashly Wissler, Ben Taucher, BreeAnn Standley, Cat Polland, David Willhite, Jessica Morrow and Laila Dzene will work on Fifth Street between the alley and H Street. Jessica Wimberly and Shastina Maya will work on H Street near its intersection with Fifth.
The festival also brings back youth teams from Grants Pass High School, Hidden Valley High School and the CoCreation School in Williams. Each team will create a piece in a 10-by-10-foot space. Hidden Valley’s team received last year’s People’s Choice Volunteer Artist recognition.
On H Street between Fifth and Sixth streets, volunteer artists will fill 8-by-8-foot spaces. The lineup includes Alyssa Evans, Amy Keller, Aurora Case, Ayda Rappleyea, Brady Keith Hamm, Cassie Clarke, Justine Siemens, Karrisa Peters, Kristi Vaccher, Kylie Sauer, RuRu, Sara Trejo, Sarah Bailey, Saysealdein Ayed, Sterling Goldsby, Vanessa Lenarz and Zoe Kasper. The Independent Order of Oddfellows and Options for Southern Oregon will create pieces there as well. Goldsby was selected as last year’s Artists’ Choice Volunteer Artist.
Music will add another gathering place to the weekend. Local and traveling groups are scheduled to perform in The Owl Plaza, which was completed earlier this week and will host festival performances for the first time.
Visitors can also browse 67 craft vendors in the Osprey Parking Lot and on H Street between Fourth and Fifth streets. Four food trucks—541fusion, Blaze-N-Monkey’s, Clucking Cow and Jimmy’s New York Style Street Dogs—will serve hot food on H Street near Fourth Street, with downtown restaurants nearby.
Art Along the Rogue takes place on Fifth Street between G and I streets and on H Street between Fourth and Sixth streets. Festival hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, October 2; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, October 3; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 4.
