Business & Tech

Ann Arbor Artist Featured at Chalk & Chocolate

David Zinn brings his brand of playful chalk art to Royal Oak this weekend.

David Zinn of Ann Arbor is ready to chalk up a big weekend in downtown Royal Oak when the debuts on Saturday.

The weekend event features chocolate creations and original chalk art by 20 professional artists and more than 80 students at various downtown restaurants and retailers. Look for illustrations on sidewalks, walls and windows.

Zinn, a self-taught artist, has been creating art in and around Ann Arbor since the late ‘80s. However it wasn’t until six years years ago that the self-proclaimed compulsive doodler started experimenting with chalk.

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“On a beautiful day, I find it hard to sit still in front of my computer,” the freelance artist said. Roughly six years ago he started going outside and experimenting with chalk to procrastinate. “I used it as an excuse to get outside,” he said. “I told myself since I was drawing I was still working.” Soon Zinn was hooked.

He focuses on small installations that work into the environment. He says one of the unique aspects of chalk art is the fact that there is no edge to the canvas.

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“I’m looking forward to seeing how the all the art comes together in Royal Oak, “ he said. “How one piece of art blends into another.”

Zinn has high praise for the Royal Oak chalk tour, especially the number of students involved. “There’s lots of emphasis on public participation,” he said.

“If you give someone chalk, they will play around with it. It’s less intimidating than giving someone oil paint and telling that person to paint something, “ he said.

“Everyone has done chalk art at some point in their life. They just don’t think of themselves as artist. Children, for example,  find chalk irresistible. It’s so fun and gratifying.” He says it's that element of amusement is that sets chalk art apart.

Weathering the Weekend

What type of weather is Zinn hoping for the weekend? Obviously rain will put a damper on things, as will wind. Bright sunshine is not favorable either because the work is done on pavement. Strong shadows are not optimal for viewing sidewalk art. Zinn say overcast skies are best.

This weekend's weather forecast calls for rain today, most sunny skies Saturday and a 50 percent chance of rain Sunday. High temperatures all days are expected to be in the upper 50s.

Chalk & Chocolate Timeline

  • Keith Coleman’s 12 foot tall Fire Breathing Dragon from Art Prize in Grand Rapids was installed Thursday at Fifth and Washington at the  sign.
  • Eighty students began creating art on the Pedestrian Mall at Fifth and Washington on Thursday. They will continue through Saturday.
  • More than 100 chalk art illustrations by elementary school students from Royal Oak will adorn the windows of downtown Royal Oak shops and restaurants beginning today.
  • Twenty professional artists from Metro Detroit will be creating their work on sidewalks and some facades today and Saturday.
  • The featuring music by the The Brothers Groove  kicks off at 6 p.m. today at  Tickets are $20-$40 and proceeds benefit Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools' arts curriculum fund. 
  • The Chalk Tour begins Saturday and runs through Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Guests will start at Fifth and Washington to pick up their programs.
  • A Chocolate Happy Hour will take place at participating restaurants on Saturday and Sunday from 4-7 p.m.


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