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 Lalita Thurkins is a Buffalo, NY area professional portraitist and national award-winning chalk artist who creates dynamic street art for regional and national festivals, businesses, and events.

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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 sylphartstudios@icloud.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)

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**Check back often for updates**

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