KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 2, 2021

Pin-up show, Junkyard Wars, live-streamed events, and workshops

Kennesaw State University will host a virtual Spring Arts Festival on March 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and one simple reservation will grant access to all of the activities. 

Celebrate the Visual Arts
An annual community event since 2013, the festival is made possible with support from KSU’s College of the Arts, School of Art and Design, Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art (ZMA), and Department of Dance. The Festival offers the chance for art enthusiasts of all ages to partake in visual and performing arts activities with two exhibitions, numerous video workshops and three live-streamed events. 

Chalk the ZMA
The popular Chalk the ZMA event will be live streamed via Zoom from 10 a.m. to noon. The ZMA team, in collaboration with Cobb County public schools, will host this year’s virtual sidewalk chalk art event. Professional chalk artists Zach Herndon and Jessi Queen will cover chalk types, blending tools, and drawing techniques, and discuss how to use the surface. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about the medium and how to use these new tools, and then share their own street drawings in a social media parade by using hashtag #ChalktheZMA2021.

Paint, Draw Digitally
For those who like to paint and draw digitally, then join this session live with a tablet (Wacom, iPad, etc.) and some imagination. School of Art and Design professor Craig Brasco will lead participants in the live-streamed Magma Studio Drawing Session from noon to 2 p.m.

Make a Tunnel Book
Next, visiting artist Beth Sheehan of Sheeprints will present the Tunnel Book Virtual Workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. via Zoom. These fun, movable book structures were originally produced as keepsakes and souvenirs. The books mimic a stage, and each of the "pages" gives depth and perspective to the viewer. Participants should be comfortable using a utility knife (such as an X-ACTO) for learning to fold, glue and decorate a simple tunnel book structure. Please register early, as attendance is limited to 70 participants on Zoom.

View the Exhibitions
Selected by teachers, artwork from P-12 artists will be entered into the annual Pin-up Show; the top works will be on exhibition during the virtual Festival. The popular Junkyard Wars is back this year as students once again create art from found objects and tossed treasures. The unique pieces will be displayed in the virtual portal during the festival.

Attend Video Workshops
Enjoy various video workshops, including an Iron Pour Demonstration from Master Craftsman Program professor Page Burch, a Metal Figurine Sculptures Demonstration from professor Allen Peterson, and a walk through “the greatest hits of global art” in a lecture on Renaissance through Modern Art History with professor Diana McClintock. For those interested in 3D printing, or Pokémon, or both, check out professor Keith Smith’s workshop on 3D Printing Demonstration, where participants will learn about 3D Modeling and 3D printing their own Pokémon. For those into comics, professor Craig Malone will present Composition for Comic Books. Finally, go on set in a photography studio as KSU students photograph dancers in professor Matt Hafner’s Digital Photography Demonstration.

Stream It for Free
The virtual Spring Arts Festival is available for anyone to stream at no charge on Saturday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A simple reservation is all that is required to gain access to all of the events and activities.  

--Kathie Beckett