Chalk Artist brings fun to University Union
As people traverse the hallways of the UW-Green Bay, they have probably noticed the beautiful chalk drawings that line the walls of University Union, bringing an artistic flare to our everyday lives. They might highlight the latest Coffeehouse brew, or draw attention to the next holiday event.
Who is the creator behind this unique and enjoyable art form? It’s UWGB student Kimmy Schwarzenbart, who has been an artist, of sorts, since her early days of crafts and coloring books.
Schwarzenbart is receiving plenty of praise for her work — most noticeable outside the Phoenix Club and the Common Grounds Coffeehouse, on campus. And just recently, she received a prestigious award for her work — taking home “Best of Show” honors at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Region V for drawings.
Schwarzenbart even gets paid for her talents, hired as a student graphic designer for the University Union.
“I saw a flier stating that the Union was hiring graphic designers and decided to apply even though I had no experience with graphic design programs at the time…A summer position opened up and I brought some sketchbooks and other art samples to the interview…I was obviously not ready for a graphic design position yet but, to my surprise, was hired to do the chalk drawings instead.”
Schwarzenbart is a Business Administration major with minors in Studio Art and Design Arts. She was inspired to declare her art minors by her teachers and supporters who would see her overwhelming amount of notebook sketches and encouraged her to keep drawing.
Her artistic talents came naturally to her at a young age but her mother is a large creative influence in her life. “I grew up watching her do crafts with sewing, photography, paint, and pastels. There was always a large amount of art supplies in the house to play with.”
Finding a way to preserve her medium is a future goal.
“Chalk is not the most permanent medium to work with…In the future I would like to find a way to preserve some chalk drawings, which may involve framing or other techniques.”
Schwarzenbart showcased her work in a public display in the Studio Arts building at UWGB in October. She plans to launch an art-specific web page in the future. She hopes to continue using her talent both as a hobby, and in a professional field.
“I hope to use my creativity in marketing and advertising to help design and sell products. In my free time I would still be able to make and sell art as a hobby.”
Also receiving honors at the Region V ACUI:
Logan Sprangers — First place in the Multipage Publication Design Category for the Spring 2014 Good Time Programming Booklet and second place in the Poster Category for his promotion of the speaker and presenter Anita Sarkeesian
Ranita Haanen — Second place in Brochure Design for the Great Beginnings (GB) Week foldable brochure
Kimmy Schwarzenbart — First place in the Large Media design Category and “Best of Show” for the entire Graphics Contest for Region V.
