Children of all ages love to draw with chalk. Do we ever outgrow that love? We end up growing up and leave the chalk drawing days behind us, that is until we’re given the opportunity to play again and draw again.
Chalkfest 2018 in Eau Claire was a first time experience for me, as well as my daughter, Sarah Mae, aka, the Artist. We volunteer for the Dementia Coalitions in both Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties– Sarah as an artist and me as a trainer. So this year, being the wonderful mother that I am, I volunteered her drawing skills for Eau Claire County’s Dementia Friendly marketing activities. She graciously accepted the challenge.
Chalkfest is witnessed by thousands of visitors and hundreds of artists. The most popular drawings are vivid colors, with cultural trends, so to do a drawing for dementia in that setting was a challenge in and of itself. When Sarah and I talked about it, I told her it could be whatever she wanted, but she’d need to include the logo.
What is Sarah’s interest in dementia? Sarah’s grandmother (my mom) passed away in 2012 from vascular dementia. They shared the same birthday and had a special relationship. Nana never got to see Sarah graduate with her BFA from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) 2017, but she always loved to look at Sarah’s drawings when she was little, and she loved to color with our kids every chance she could. She even bought the girls sidewalk chalk many a birthday.
Sarah’s prototype drawing included a silhouette figure with a bouquet of Forget-Me-Not flowers and the logo. A beautiful tribute to those who are going through the journey of dementia. It is important to not forget the person is always there with you throughout the disease. They’ll treasure that you treat them with dignity and respect and still include them as they are able and willing.
The Chalkfest adventure no doubt brought back many feelings to Sarah as she drew throughout the day.
Here’s a recap of how the day progressed for this challenge?
It was a beautiful day as all the artists began to gather.
Sarah with her blank slate and a cup of coffee
Measure out the grid lines.
Sarah Mae: “The logo is the most important – I want to make sure the outline is there so people know what the drawing will be about.”
Every person who walked by after that, smiled or said, “Aw, thank you for doing that.”
Of course, it is great to pause and join in on the camaraderie of the event with your neighbors throughout the day.
The face in the silhouette.
The flowers.
The crowds grew throughout the day.
It was pleasant out, but any spot with shade was a welcome spot.
The pre-finishing touches and filling in the logo to make it pop.
The artist with the final product.
We sat together and watched the responses of the people who passed by.
Me: “What are you thinking, Sarah?”
Sarah Mae: “I’m so touched by the responses, of ‘Thank you for doing this’; ‘Thank you, this really hits home with me’; ‘This is a beautiful representation of dementia, thank you for doing this’; ‘The forget-me-nots are beautiful, thank you’; ‘Thank you, this is my favorite drawing, this means so much to those with dementia’!”
It was a wonderful day. The crowds viewing extended well past 7:30 pm. So for almost 12 hours that day, Dementia Friendly was seen by visitors and artists.
The feet to prove it is a get down on your hands and knees, and feet and get dirty like a kid, and enjoy the journey. Walking through a journey with dementia can be lonely, but it is easier in a community that is Dementia Friendly!
Our wish to you is to know the Eau Claire community is dementia friendly, and that there are people who understand what you are going through. Find more information here on Facebook about Eau Claire County Dementia Friendly activities.
That is so cool. My husband is from Wisconsin and I think he went to high school in Eau Claire when he was living with his aunt and uncle there. He has been back to class reunions a couple of times but I’ve never been. The year the family reunion was held there I was pregnant with our son so we didn’t go. I love the art work your daughter did and that looks like such a fun way to spend a day. The elephant next to hers is pretty neat too. Thanks for sharing. Happy Sunday!
Aw, thanks for sharing your thoughts and kudos! I grew up in Eau Claire, maybe I knew your husband!? The elephant was so cool and received lots of great feedback from the crowd. Happy Sunday to you, too!
What a beautiful chalk painting! A wonderful way to bring awareness of dementia to everyone.
Thank you, we appreciate your feedback!!
The drawing is so beautiful, wonderful flowers and colours! Sarah Mae must be rightly proud as should her mum!
Thank you, yes, we’re pretty darn happy about how it turned out! It was her first time doing a project like that, so I (as her mum) of course, think she did a great job!
Bravo to you and Sarah!
Thank you, Margo!!!
Bravo to you and Sarah.
That’s amazing! My daughter is quite the artist at 10 & she got in the local paper a few years back for doing a chalk sidewalk square at an event called Art Street that we have every year downtown in August. She also had a great grandmother who was part of her life from birth to 5 that had dementia, so this is so touching to see your daughter use her art skills to make such a beautiful piece for a wonderful cause! It really does portray it in such a touching & amazing way💕. I do love Eau Claire. The downtown is wonderful with so much art and history!
Aw, thank you! You must be so proud of your daughter as well! I’m happy you’ve been touched by our efforts. Sarah wanted to the drawing to have meaning, be beautiful and to touch people in a heartwarming way. Your comments mean a lot to us!! Thank you!! Yes, Eau Claire is a wonderful town – I grew up there, then married a Chippewa guy – but my hometown is EC!