A Modern Madonnara
Street Painting originated in the Renaissance, when artists would paint images of the Madonna outside of cathedrals. The term given to these artists- "madonnari"-is still used today by Street Artists. Modern madonnara Erika Thurkins is a Buffalo, NY area professional portraitist and chalk artist who creates dynamic street art for regional and national festivals, businesses, and events.
If you are planning an event or own a business and are interested in booking a chalk piece, please refer to the below schedule for seasonal availability and send an email to ehthurkins@gmail.com.
Please consider donating to help furnish chalk re-stocks so I can keep the art coming during the current Covid-19 crisis. Stay safe, I miss you, and keep smiling.
Time-lapse from Downtown Canadaigua Arts & Music Festival 2018, courtesies of artist Larry Moss of Airigami.
Footage courtesy of WNY Photography (Brian Fose)
2020 Schedule
Bills Staff Live Chalk Event Orchard Park, NY -- Jan 28
Bloom N Chalk Fest, Safety Harbor, FL -- Mar 20-23
Shippensburg Rail Trail Shippensburg, PA - April 18 --cancelled (covid)
St. Charles Art Walk, St. Charles, IL -- May 22-25 --cancelled (covid)
EA Music Fest East Aurora, NY -- June 6 --cancelled (covid)
Chalkfest at Arbor Lakes (tbd), Maple Grove, MN -- June 12-15 --cancelled (covid)
Perry NY Chalk Fest Perry, NY Aug 15th
Sounds + Sights Festival ChalkArt Chelsea, MI - July 23-26 --cancelled (covid)
Chalk the Block, St. Joseph, MI -- July 31-Aug 2 --cancelled (covid)
La Strada dei Pastelli, Beaverton, OR -- Aug 7-10 --cancelled (covid)
PNW Chalk Fest, Redmond, WA -- Aug 15-19 --cancelled (covid)
Buffalo Chalkfest Buffalo Riverworks, NY - Aug 29-30 --cancelled (covid)
Madonnari Arts Festival Little Italy, Baltimore MD -- (Sep 11-13) --cancelled (covid)
Grove Fest Grove City, PA - October 5
Chalktoberfest Marietta, GA Oct 9-12 --cancelled (covid)
Sarasota International Chalk Festival (tbd) Venice, FL -- (Nov 12-15)
Via Colori (tbd), Houston, TX -- Nov 20-23
Chalk A Lot at Tempe Festival of the Arts (tbd) Tempe, AZ - (Dec 3-7)
**Check back often for updates**
