Manternach chosen as ‘Chalk the Walk’ artist

     Every year the City of Mont Vernon hosts an event called “Chalk the Walk.” This year marks the 12^th anniversary, and a local Monticello resident and Monticello Express employee will be one of the featured artists.

     Abby Manternach, 24, was chosen to be a first-time Chalk the Walk participant. She’s attended the event in the past as a spectator, and will now have the opportunity to show off her own artistic talent.

     Chalk the Walk features over 150 area artists, each working within an 8-by-10-foot section of pavement. They will use the downtown streets of Mount Vernon as their canvas.

     Manternach, who is a graphic designer at the Express, had to fill out an online application as a first-time participant and submit samples of her past artwork.

     After submitting her application, Manternach said it was a nerve-racking two weeks of waiting to hear whether she was accepted or not.

     As for her inspiration for the Chalk the Walk, she said, “I have a couple of ideas planned out.” One of her most recent art pieces, a sailboat on water created from oil on canvas, will be used as part of her inspiration.

     Manternach’s cousin has been a Chalk the Walk artist in the past, and will be joining her this year, side-by-side.

     “She’s helped me a lot for this year,” thanked Manternach of her cousin, Danielle Lensen of Dubuque.

     Manternach has experimented with different art mediums throughout college, varying from painting to sculpture work and computer graphic design.

     “I love it all!” she said.

     Chalk the Walk, she said, “gives me a chance to be creative for the public eye to see.”

     Manternach said a lot of hard work and dedication go into the two-day event, Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7. “You have an amazing piece of art at the end,” she said. Manternach added it will be great to see how the other artists work at what they create.

     Each year at Chalk the Walk, the organizers establish a collaborative piece that spectators can take part in. This year the centerpiece will be a 30-by-50-foot recreation of Norman Rockwell’s “Dugout.” Those interested in helping to recreate the artwork will be given a 2-by-2-foot square for a $10 donation. The Rockwell piece was chosen to commemorate the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series.

     The 2017 Chalk the Walk is expected to be the largest event in its history, with over 150 artists taking part.

     “This event gives artists the chance to be who they are,” said Manternach. “It allows local artists to get recognized and have fun at the two-day event.

     “The piece I plan to do allows me to be carefree and express myself; it becomes more about the process of the artwork versus the typical finished piece.”

     Each artist chosen for Chalk the Walk is given supplies to use, thanks to area sponsors.

     The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7.

     Manternach said if you want to see the artists in progress, plan to attend on Saturday. If you want to see the finished artwork, come out on Sunday. She said it is a family-friendly event for all ages.