i Madonnari – Another Great Year

From May 24-26, artists, tourists and Santa Barbara residents spent their three day weekend in front of the mission, celebrating the 38th annual i Madonnari festival. With up to 150 drawings, this art show was a dazzling presence in the Santa Barbara community, as always has been with each year that goes by.

At this art showcase, artists spent their weekend doing chalk art on the concrete front of the Santa Barbara mission. The artists range in age, as well as the type of art styles shown. The Children’s Creative Project, founder of this festival, supplied every artist with chalk and tips for how they should go about drawing in the event.

There were many favorite chalk drawings at i Madonnari, including a pig dressed as the Mona Lisa, a lonesome pirate ship, and a loving portrait of two women called the “Burrows Family”. There were also a couple of the sections left for kids and wanderers to draw if they pleased, so many tourists and children came around and wrote their name on the block or left tiny drawings.

One of San Marcos High School’s favorite artists came and did a chalk portrait at i Madonnari, J.P. Litap, the shortest sophomore you’ll meet but also one of the most creative. If you ever try to look for them, chances are they’re in the J wing, painting or sketching. J.P. ended up being one of the younger artists attending i Madonnari – making their appearance to this event even more special. When asked about what they enjoyed most about i Madonnari, this is what they said:

“Free food,” J.P. said. “Just kidding. Mostly I enjoyed just seeing all the other artists there. Seeing all the art and learning lots of things about the event. I had lots of fun getting to be there.”

The chalk art wasn’t the only entertainment – there was music, food, games and choir performances. Jazz bands, high school choir groups, solos and dancing helped bring the mood up and brought much festivity. There was pizza, Italian style drinks, gelato, coffee, a variety of meats, and more to serve.

i Madonnari has been one of the more successful Santa Barbara traditions. I know as a journalist I’m not allowed to talk about myself, but I’m going to. When I was growing up, my family and I spent all weekend visiting i Madonnari whenever it came around, admiring the artists and carrying around melting ice cream cones as we watched them draw. I have always loved this event, and as a Santa Barbara resident, I know the community is fond of it, too. From ages in elementary, all the way to those who probably need a cane to walk (looking at you Mr. Stehmeier), people of all ages and types enjoyed and continue to enjoy this Santa Barbara traditional event with every year it comes.