Published: June 05, 2009 11:07 pm      

Chalk it up

Art on the sidewalk added to festivities

ASHLAND — Even art that can’t last for long brings pleasure to those who create and view it.

Under sunny skies in perfect weather for Ashland’s monthly First Friday Art Walk and Downtown Live, people from different walks of life strolled the streets admiring classic and custom cars and motorcycles, peeking into artist’s studios and enjoying meals at downtown restaurants.

The Ashland Chalk Walk 09 was added to this month’s First Friday attractions, drawing nearly 20 artists with different levels of experience and visions for pastel colors on concrete.

“It’s making people happy,” said chalk artist Dustin York of South Ashland, who has been a multi-media artist for more than a dozen years. York arrived with no idea of what he wanted to create, and once on the sidewalk decided to use images of downtown businesses and landmarks along with musical notes and embraced lovers “just trying to capture the moment.”

“I came with butterflies and nervous,” he said with a laugh, explaining the emotions turned to enjoyment once he began drawing.

Soyon Barber, who moved to Ashland from South Korea, is preparing to see her husband, John Barber, depart for military duty in Iraq. With assistance from her sons James, John, Daniel and Joseph, she created a sidewalk scene based on memories from lessons in an arts class.

Debbie Brown assisted her daughter Emma Brown, 10, with a colorful creation she called “Overlapping Bubbles.”

“She just drew it and I decided to help color it in,” the mother said, noting they greatly enjoyed the public art project.

Emma Brown said she hopes to participate in another Chalk Walk, and believes people her age would have a lot of fun creating the temporary art if they gave it a try.

In addition to the sidewalk art exhibition, the First Friday crowd obviously enjoyed the chance to get up-close views of more than 60 cars, and about 40 motorcycles invited for the Downtown Live aspect of the monthly event.

Among the many cars which caused people to stop in their tracks and say things like, “wow, look at that!” was a 1972 Opel GT owned by Ray Snowden of Russell. The Mars-Red speedster has been extensively modified, including a 471 blower unit which dominates the car’s forward appearance, and a log list of other custom touches.

Gareld Kazee, who arrived in his 1970 Chevelle SS said he is encouraged by the number of people who turned out for Friday’s festivities.

“This thrills me that there’s something to do on a Friday night,” Kazee said, later adding he wishes the city’s mayor and council members were present to see the potential benefits which could be generated from a large, well organized monthly car show here.

Danny Estep, who drove a 1974 Nova to Friday’s cruise-in, agreed with Kazee.

“They can make something big out of this if they’ll work for it,” he said.

There were instant fans for practically every motorcycle on Winchester Avenue on Friday evening, although a black 1974 Dnepr sidecar motorcycle built for the Russian military and owned by Joe Bounds of Ashland likely earned the most appreciative glances and comments.

“It takes about five minutes to get started,” Bounds said with a grin, explaining he owns several classic cars but decided to bring the motorcycle out because the weather was ideal for a ride.

“It is a two-wheel drive,” he said, pointing to the axle connecting the bike’s rear wheel and the wheel on the sidecar. “It will go anywhere.”

Musical performances including an electrified show by Timbral Uprising featuring Taylor Shaffer, Casey Carver, Levi Ausmus, Tom Stephens, Isaac Stephens, Aaron Stephens and Michael Clark on the street, as well as a soulful acoustic solo act by Eric Smith of Flatwoods inside the Pendleton Art Center. Other musical performances on the street included sets by local musicians The Salty Sirens and Mark Fosson.