For nearly a decade, Forest Grove Elementary School in Pacific Grove has embraced the Chalk Art Festival, a beloved tradition that recently saw a new iteration under the guidance of artist and teacher Kim Kasner Stone. Partnering with 328 students, the school created a stunning 56-foot functional circle labyrinth on the basketball court, with enthusiastic parental support from volunteers like Amber Pacheco and Leigh Brodie.
Students were given the creative freedom to choose their own colors and personalize their sections of the labyrinth, including adding their name designs. Inspired by the concept of labyrinths as spaces for meditation and tranquility, Kasner Stone aimed to provide a calming experience for those who walked through the colorful creation.
Although the chalk art is not permanent and vulnerable to the elements, Kasner Stone sees the impermanence as part of the medium’s beauty, akin to building a sandcastle. The students took pride in their work, carefully maintaining the labyrinth even as visitors, including teenagers on weekends, enjoyed the tactile experience of walking and running through the intricate design.
Overall, the Chalk Art Festival at Forest Grove Elementary School continues to foster creativity, community engagement, and a sense of mindfulness among students and participants, embodying the ethos of cherishing fleeting moments of shared joy and artistry.
Source: Monterey County Now
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