Street artist invites public to join in chalk art at Muskegon’s Lakeshore Art Festival

The Lakeshore Art Festival will host international street artist David Zinn at this year’s event, which takes place June 25 and 26 in downtown Muskegon. 

Zinn has been creating original artwork in and around Ann Arbor since 1987. For more than 20 years, he freelanced for a variety of commercial clients while simultaneously sneaking art into the world at large.

Zinn has an extensive portfolio of professional commissions, but thanks to the temptations of a box of sidewalk chalk, Zinn is known all over the world for the art he creates under his feet. 

His temporary street drawings are composed entirely of chalk, charcoal and found objects, and are always improvised on location. His Instagram page shows videos of his works in progress and has more than 766,000 followers. Many of his posts have tens of thousands of views from fans from all over the world. 

“I am excited and honored to be taking part in such a highly regarded summertime institution as the Lakeshore Art Festival,” Zinn says. “Their dedication to bringing the full range of creative experiences into downtown Muskegon is admirable, allowing people of all ages to observe, hear, eat, and create art inside their community.”

Zinn will create eight to 10 pieces of art throughout the Lakeshore Art Festival footprint. One will be a permanent art piece that will add to the already vibrant public art collection of downtown Muskegon. Festival goers are encouraged to scout out and find each of the pieces of art as a fun scavenger-hunt type of exploration.

Defying expectations

Zinn adds he appreciates the Lakeshore festival’s celebration of everyday art.

 “They understand the joy of seeking out and stumbling across art that’s woven into our everyday lives, thus breaking the expectation that art can only be found inside quiet, controlled environments,” Zinn says. “I think this is going to be a lot of fun.” 

The festival is inviting the community to join Zinn in finding art in everything – even little cracks in the sidewalk – by taking part in the PADNOS Public Art Project on June 25 from 4-6 p.m. Anyone and everyone can get creative and “Chalk-the-Walk”  along Western Avenue within the festival area.

Small bags of free chalk for Chalk-the-Walk, provided by Scherdel Sales & Technology, will be available at the following locations: 

• PADNOS
• Blended Furniture Market
• Arts Council of White Lake-Nuveen Center
• Muskegon Museum of Art
• Art Cats Gallery
• Disability Network of West Michigan
• Read Muskegon

The free chalk also will be available at the information booths throughout the festival. It is available while supplies last and limited to one bag per person. Event organizers encourage the community to bring their own chalk as well.

“David Zinn is known for his unique perspective on seeing art in the most unusual places,” says Carla Flanders, Lakeshore Art Festival director. “Where others might see a crack in the sidewalk, David sees a colorful and playful creature just waiting to be designed. Zinn’s art, coupled with our Chalk-the-Walk event, helps to not only bring art and color to downtown, but also allows everyone to explore their artistic side and become an active part of the Lakeshore Art Festival.”