The fourth annual Big Art Day was an afternoon of students and spectators displaying their talent in the parking lot of Veterans Memorial Stadium at Pasadena ISD. This year turned out to be the largest crowd ever!
One aspect of the event was chalk art. Each Pasadena ISD campus was assigned a large square to utilize for their art piece, which they had 2 hours to complete. “As the afternoon progressed, art pieces began to take life and spectators began to marvel and discuss the beautiful artwork created by all the students of the district,” stated Shannon Raygoza, Fine Arts Coordinator for Pasadena ISD.
Tables were set up along the front of the natatorium allowing guests to walk up and participate in many make-and-take activities. A Crayola photo booth was set up to allow participants to line up to snap their own photos.
In a collaborative project with the City of Pasadena Parks and Recreation Department and a generous grant by H-E-B, there was a display of butterfly wings. “To participate in the project, each of the seven high schools in the district picked a Native Texas Butterfly that closely resembled their school’s colors. The seven high school art programs painted their chosen butterfly wings on a 4' x 8' piece of plywood. Art teachers then took on the task of cutting out the wings and then handing them off to the Parks and Recreation Department to mount them to metal stands in order to display them,” said Raygoza
Those in attendance were able to take photos in front of the butterfly wings and vote on their favorite. As a result, the Viewer's Choice Award went to Tegeler Career Center, whose Monarch butterfly wings have now been installed at the first City of Pasadena Parks & Rec Community Garden. The remaining six butterfly wings will be installed in a city park close to the respective school that created them.
Food trucks provided guests the ability to purchase food and drinks while they enjoyed the festivities. “They were definitely a big hit with the crowd and additional trucks will be invited to attend next year,” added Raygoza.
