View source for Via Colori

{{More citations needed|date=October 2022}}
'''Via Colori''' is a [[street painting]] festival held in several cities in the [[United States]] to raise funds for not-for-profit organizations. Hundreds of [[Artist|artists]], usually sponsored by a business or individual, gather and create large-scale artworks on the street using chalk. After expenses, the money raised goes to the not-for-profit organization to help further its mission.
==History==
Street painting was first recorded in Italy in the [[16th century]] when artists would paint religious icons in the courtyards of cathedrals. Known as "madonnari", these artists were "the visual arts counterpart of minstrels" and would most commonly paint icons of the [[Madonna (art)|Madonna.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kurtwenner.com/artist.htm|title=Kurt Wenner, Master Artist and Master Architect}}</ref> Street painting festivals are now held throughout the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bezzone |first=Francesca |date=29 June 2021 |title=Madonnari: Italy's own street artists |url=https://italoamericano.org/madonnari-italys-own-street-artists/ |website=L’Italo-Americano}}</ref>
In 1994, Via Colori was founded by author, playwright, and performer Rick Compton in [[Naples, Florida]]. Via Colori is owned, supported, and licensed by Compton and is licensable by any not-for-profit with a widely supported mission.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.viacolori.com/history.asp |title=Via Colori - History of Street Painting |website=www.viacolori.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517204310/http://www.viacolori.com/history.asp |archive-date=2007-05-17}} </ref>
==Festivals==
According to Via Colori's website, "more than 100 Via Coloris have been held in 14 cities."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Compton |first=Rick |title=A Note from the Founder |url=https://www.viacolori.com/a-note-from-the-founder |access-date=30 October 2022 |website=Via Colori}}</ref> Cities that have previously hosted a Via Colori festival include [[Fredericksburg, Virginia]]; [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky]]; [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]]; [[Glendale, Arizona]]; [[Sandestin, Florida]]; and [[Houston, Texas]]. They are hosted by "beneficiary hosts", [[501(c)(3)]] organizations that license Via Colori and coordinate the festival to further its mission.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.viacolori.com/thebeneficiaryhosts.asp |title=Via Colori - The Beneficiary Hosts - Street Painting Festival Fundraiser for 501(c)(3) |website=www.viacolori.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517204528/http://www.viacolori.com/thebeneficiaryhosts.asp |archive-date=2007-05-17}} </ref>
==Artists==
One artist is featured amongst the volunteer artists who draw in each Via Colori. They are typically well-known in the field and usually create a larger square artwork. {{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
Artists may be full-time professional artists, "talented hobbyists," or "art enthusiasts." Occasionally squares will be painted together, such as in a family or school group.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.viacolori.com/theartists.asp |title=Via Colori - The Artists |website=www.viacolori.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517204547/http://www.viacolori.com/theartists.asp |archive-date=2007-05-17}} </ref>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* Kentucky Via Colori: [http://www.viacolorikentucky.com/]
* Fredericksburg Via Colori: [http://www.viacolori.com/city-index.asp?cityid=41]
* [https://www.viacolori.com/ Via Colori]
[[Category:Street art festivals in the United States]]