I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival May 25–27

The community will celebrate the 33^rd anniversary of the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 25, 26, and 27 at the Old Mission Santa Barbara. A ceremony at noon on Monday, May 27, on the Mission steps will introduce and thank the major festival sponsors and featured artist Sharyn Chan as her street painting is concluded.

I Madonnari, the first festival of its kind in North America to present the performance art of street painting, is presented by and raises vital funding for the Children’s Creative Project (CCP), a nonprofit arts education program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office. 

Live music and an Italian market will be featured on the Mission lawn throughout the three-day event. The festival’sfabulosoItalian Market offers authentic Italian cuisine produced by the Children’s Creative Project Board of Directors. According to Board President Bryan Kerner, this year’s market will include lemon-rosemary roasted chicken, pasta, pizza, calamari, Italian sausage sandwiches, gelato, coffees, and specialty items designed from prior years’ festivals including T-shirts, posters, note cards, and more. All proceeds from sales benefit the Children’s Creative Project.

The festival features 140 street paintings drawn with chalk pastels on the pavement in front of the Mission. As the public watches, 200 local artists transform these pavement canvases into elaborate compositions in unexpectedly vibrant colors.

For more information about the Children’s Creative Project or I Madonnari, go to imadonnarifestival.com.