In today’s world of sophisticated gadgets and apps, simpler tools like chalk and cement wouldn’t seem capable of producing a wow moment. Yet 34 years after its start, the annual Sidewalk Arts Festival (April 25) still draws a mesmerized crowd and creates the rare occurrence of gridlock in Savannah.
Among the chalked-up squares festival-goers have marveled at over the years are those belonging to Troy Wingard (B.F.A, graphic design, 1992). This year marks Troy’s 30th festival in a row. He was 15 when he entered his first Sidewalk Arts contest, one in a group of high school students ferried to Savannah from Lexington, South Carolina by art teacher Marion B. Mason.
1987 Sidewalk Arts Festival (from left to right): Cecil Davis, Anthony Hightower, Doug Gregory, Troy Wingard, Marion B. Mason, Joe McClendon, Scott Kirchner and Matt Mossholder.
After a long, hot day of drawing on the sidewalk in Madison Square, we were filthy, tired and hungry, but we were hooked. - Troy Wingard
That marked the beginning of a long tradition. The students, who came to call themselves the Lexington Art Council, continued to return to the festival, which eventually moved to Forsyth Park. Meanwhile, they grew up and became convinced their artistic inclinations were more than a hobby. "To see a college based around different art programs blew our minds," said Wingard. It was like we had died and gone to heaven. Everyone who was there was interested in making art."
1993 Sidewalk Arts Festival (from left to right): Scott Kirchner, Stan Jennings, Julie Buffington, Hap Proctor and Troy Wingard.
1994 Sidewalk Arts Festival: Troy Wingard.
Mr. Mason did more for Wingard and the Lexington Art Council than introduce them to a fun spring affair. He taught them how to take themselves and their art seriously. It didn’t take long before the group was debating what they should draw for the entire two-hour trip to Savannah. “Sidewalk Arts became the tradition that proved we were all best friends," said Wingard. "You don’t know somebody until you’ve worked with them.”
Finally, in their 11th year, they won an honorable mention. For the next four years, the group topped that by taking first place in the alumni category and celebrating their wins with seafood dinners.
1997 Sidewalk Arts Festival (from left to right): Troy Wingard, Anthony Hightower, Stan Jennings, Ginger Stephens and Scott Kirchner.
For the last 15 years, the Lexington Art Council has participated as exhibitors only. To them, having a dedicated 12-by-16-foot space in the alumni section where thousands of visitors tread to see their large-scale chalk drawings is prize enough. Their favorite piece commemorated one of their own, Scott Kirchner, who passed away in 2012.
2006 Sidewalk Arts Festival (from left to right): Troy Wingard and Marion B. Mason.
If you’ve photographed the Lexington Art Council throughout their history you probably captured Mr. Mason working alongside them. He’ll be there again this year, as he always is. The festival encouraged Wingard to attend SCAD, and Mr. Mason influenced his decision to teach art, as he does now as a professor at The Art Institute of Washington in Arlington, Virginia.
Everybody has a preconceived notion that artists are poor. My purpose is to tell my students, ‘You are here to show that you’re special and have something important to say and that you know how to say it in a way that garners respect.' - Troy Wingard
At Sidewalk Arts 2015, 700 high school and college students will discover just how much a simple piece of chalk can inspire, as Wingard did all those years ago.
