FESTIVAL TAKES A STEP INTO ART.

Byline: Kathleen Sweeney  Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Hundreds of passers-by gazing at the chalk drawings on Town Center Drive on Sunday afternoon laughed, raised their eyebrows and simply smiled at the colorful art at their feet.

There was something for everyone during the last day of the Belle Via Italian Street Painting Festival. Classical paintings, original pieces and copies of contemporary art - all drawn in chalk on the street.

After a stroll around the artwork, the adventurous helped their children create a drawing while others walked, talked, shopped, ate, people-watched and listened to music.

It was the first time Sandi Ashford and Jerry Pressnall had been to the festival or even seen street painting. They were impressed by the artists who chose to mimic paintings of artists such as the vibrantly-colored work of 19th century English painter Fredric Leighton.

``It's just wonderful,'' Ashford said. ``They've done a great job.''

Pressnall agreed.

``It's nice to see there's still some culture,'' Pressnall said.

As strollers passed by the 100 or so drawings, they laughed over the cleverness of some artists and spoke of how easy it was to view the drawings.

Peggy Landrum and Marilyn Miscione noticed the ease of walking among the pavement ``galleries,'' much easier than the other street fairs they've attended in Santa Barbara.

They too were impressed by the artists, but not so much by the professionals as by the high school students.

``It shows the talent of who lives in our valley,'' Landrum said.

It wasn't only the art that drew others to come, but the quiet and relaxation.

Nancy Curtiss brought her daughters, Emily and Erin, to the festival from their home near Pasadena to see a friend's drawing and escape the city's noise.

``It's great,'' she said. ``They don't have anything like this where we live. It's very clean, nice.''

Like the Curtisses, many families came together to spend the day and enjoy the art.

Aubrey Jacobowitz came with her parents, but it meant more to her than just looking at drawings her mother wanted her to see.

The 9-year-old said the drawings became so realistic and vibrant she wanted to step into the pictures and smell the flowers.

``I'm seeing a live picture not just of the people, but what's around the world,'' she said. ``It amazes me how lively these pictures are.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) An artist chalks up the finishing touches on her street work Sunday during the Bella Via Italian Street Painting Festival.

(2) Artist Henry Darnell works on his painting at Sunday's festival, which featured chalk-drawn classical, original and copies of contemporary art.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer