ItB次元官网网址檚 a medium that is fleeting but delivers high art at street level. Chalk art lives at the mercy of the wind and rain and shoes.

Most people who have strolled the old section of Government Street have seen this art from the talented hand of Ian Morris, who most often sketches recreations of the Renaissance masters B次元官网网址� haunting images of Raphael, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci.

Where the work of Morris occupies small sidewalk spaces, the first Victoria International Chalk Art Festival will bring a full-blown exposition to Government Street next weekend.

Five artists, including Morris, will have two days to create 8 x 10 foot masterpieces on Government, which will be closed between Fort and Yates streets. Tracy Lee Stum, the premier 3D chalk artist in the world, will start Sept. 12 in the lower level of the Bay Centre on a 20 x 20 foot creation.

For Morris, this is the first time in his nine years as a chalk artist that heB次元官网网址檒l meet his peers from around North America.

B次元官网网址淔rom the start I hoped something like this would happen eventually. IB次元官网网址檓 proud to bring this art form to Victoria and proud itB次元官网网址檚 got to this level,B次元官网网址� Morris said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 eager to meet others of my tribe.B次元官网网址�

The 44-year-old artist admits he started street art as a means to pay the bills. Now heB次元官网网址檚 embraced the centuries-old tradition of the Madonnari B次元官网网址� Italian folk artists focused on drawing images of the biblical Madonna on sidewalks. Morris focuses on Renaissance reproductions, but is also developing B次元官网网址�3DB次元官网网址� art B次元官网网址� images that appear eerily three dimensional when viewed at a specific angle through a camera lens.

B次元官网网址淚 enjoy the classical reproductions a lot. ThereB次元官网网址檚 power in them B次元官网网址� grace, beauty, history,B次元官网网址� Morris says. B次元官网网址淏ut I got tired of people asking me about 3D (chalk art), so I decided to up my game. TheyB次元官网网址檙e a lot of fun, but itB次元官网网址檚 like learning to draw all over.B次元官网网址�

Morris sees his art as part of a larger tapestry of encouraging a vibrant downtown core and creating compelling public spaces grounded in art and culture.

B次元官网网址淢y real imperative is community. (My art) is a tool to make this a community where people want to be,B次元官网网址� Morris says. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 more to city life than shopping and working B次元官网网址� or there ought to be.B次元官网网址�

This philosophy meshes with the goals of John Vickers, creator of the chalk art festival, and the international busker festival, which completed its second season this summer.

B次元官网网址淭his is part of a bigger picture. Years back I was looking to create three international festivals for the downtown,B次元官网网址� says Vickers, noting that heB次元官网网址檚 looking at a kite festival for the third festival event. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a passionate supporter of downtown. This is about creating free entry, family-friendly festivals in the downtown.B次元官网网址�

Vickers, known for his pumpkin art, had the inspiration for a chalk art festival after seeing MorrisB次元官网网址� work, and then travelling to Sarasota, Fla., to see North AmericaB次元官网网址檚 largest chalk art festival, organized by Denise Kowal. ItB次元官网网址檚 KowalB次元官网网址檚 connections that allowed Vickers to draw top talent to an untested, first-time festival in Victoria.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity to get a considerable number of people down there. An overwhelming number of merchants support this. ItB次元官网网址檚 a boon to business,B次元官网网址� Vickers said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got to promote the downtown and give it more of a sense of community. We have to keep the downtown relevant.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址�(Vickers) is on the same page as me. To make the downtown a human community you need life, and bringing festivals is a way to do that,B次元官网网址� Morris agreed.

Over the years, Morris has become an expert on creating art on sidewalks B次元官网网址� he says the brick on Government street sidewalks is ideal for for chalk art. The pebbled road surface might be tougher.

B次元官网网址淭he road is different. ItB次元官网网址檚 like silk to sandpaper,B次元官网网址� he says, shrugging. B次元官网网址淵ou just do what you can.B次元官网网址�

Tracy Lee Stum will begin her chalk art drawing at the Bay Centre on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The other artists will create their pieces on Government Street on Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 15 and 16). The event is rain or shine (artists will have tents in the event of rain).

Go to victoriachalkfestival.com for more information.