CHALK-A-BLOCK Artist Spotlights and One Week Left to Cast your Vote for the Banner Design Project!

CHALK-A-BLOCK Artist Spotlights

Get to know some of the CHALK-A-BLOCK artists behind the incredible chalk art below, and come watch them transform the street with their creations on Saturday, September 19th from 11am-2pm at CURRENT TideLock (1055 N. Fairfax St.). Stay tuned for more artist spotlights coming soon!!

Artist/Architect Anila Angjeli

*Chalk art by Anila Angjeli (image courtesy of Anila Angjeli)*

Q: How did you become an artist?

AA: I am an architect but from a young age I have always loved drawings and painting beautiful things:)

Q: Describe your artistic style.

AA: Expressive, colorful broad strokes, mixed media paintings and collages. I like chalk ground murals for their large visual impact.

Q: What do you love about creating chalk art?

AA: Chalk art transforms physical hard work into large visual impact. I like bright deep colors. Since it is in public spaces I’m happy to share my art and bring joy and excitement in the community.

Q: What can people expect from your artwork at CHALK-A-BLOCK?

AA: I would love to paint large flowers, large Dahlias, multi-petals colorful and 3D visuals.

Q: Tell us about a recent project or a recent event that you were a part of.

AA: I am participating in the Art in Every Space Mayor Gaskins Initiative. I have created the Second Bloom Collection hand made from upcycled materials and plastic from Washington Post plastic sleeves, heat pressed and painted with colors and markers.

See links below for more information:

https://www.aline-architecture.com/post/second-bloom

ALIne-architecture.com

*Anila Angjeli works on her butterfly at CHALK-A-BLOCK 2025 (image courtesy of Anila Angjeli)*

Art Runs in the Family:
Master Muralist Patrick Kirwin

and his children Nandini & Dhilan

*A trompe l’oeil pavilion ceiling painted by Patrick Kirwin (image courtesy of Patrick Kirwin)*

Q: How did you become an artist?

PK: I was dyslexic as a child and while numbers and letters were difficult for me, I instantly could understand and read pictures. I have been an artist since I was 5 y.o.

Nandini and Dhilan Kirwin have an artist father and are inquisitive and interested in a variety of subjects. Both are multiple National PTA Reflections Arts award winners and have won ribbons for their art at the Arlington County Fair. Dhilan won a DC METRO art contest and had his artwork displayed on a METRO Bus and on lighted signage in the stations for one month. Nandini is studying photography as well at Washington-Liberty H.S.

*Artist Patrick Kirwin at CHALK-A-BLOCK 2025 (image courtesy of OTNA)*

Q: Describe your artistic style.

PK: I am a decorative artist, which means I do a variety of imagery from abstraction to realism. My specialties are mural painting and trompe l'oeil illusionism which is a painting that fools you into thinking the painting is the actual thing depicted, such as a painted door which appears to be a real door.

Nandini likes to draw characters she makes up and drawings of nature. Dhilan loves animals and nature which make up most of his artwork.

*trompe l’oeil bedroom ceiling painted by Patrick Kirwin (image courtesy of Patrick Kirwin)*

Q: What do you love about creating chalk art?

PK: I enjoy various media and doing work which is outdoors and seen by chance by a large audience, such as murals and chalk drawing.

NK: I love the color and fun of chalk drawing.

DK: It is a natural kid's medium. I like the wide range of colors.

*“Underwater Plants” by Dhilan Kirwin (image courtesy of Patrick Kirwin)*

Q: What can people expect from your artwork at CHALK-A-BLOCK?

PK: I may try an anamorphic or Trompe L'oeil.

NK: Last CHALK-A-BLOCK, I did frogs and may do animals again.

DK: I will do reptiles or work with my dad.

*Nandini Kirwin’s frogs from CHALK-A-BLOCK 2024 (image courtesy of OTNA)*

Q: Tell us about a recent project or a recent event that you were a part of.

PK: As an artist taking commissions, I recently painted several ceiling mural projects.

NK: We went to South Africa this summer and I photographed wildlife there.

DK: The DC Metro Bus Project was very exciting to see my work enlarged and displayed publicly.

*“Space” by Nandini Kirwin (image courtesy of Patrick Kirwin)*

For more information about Patrick Kirwin and his work, visit:

patrickkirwin.com

https://www.alexandriabrief.com/pet-portrait-mural-grows-onto-head-to-tails-new-pantry/

**A Feast for the Eyes and Mouth at CHALK-A-BLOCK**

Old Town North Alliance Member restaurants Jula’s on the Potomac, Hank’s Oyster Bar & Hank’s Pasta Bar, and Royal Restaurant will be at CHALK-A-BLOCK with some tasty bites for sale.

Stop by the Jula’s table for truffled deviled eggs, fig & prosciutto crostada, and an Island mocktail. Try Hush Puppies and Ceviche from Hank’s Oyster Bar and Marinated Olives and Ricotta Crostini from Hank’s Pasta bar. Top it all off with lemon tarts and homemade Twix bars from Royal Restaurant!

Need your Saturday morning caffeine fix? We’ve got you covered! Dream Chaser’s Coffee, whom you may know from the Old Town North Farmers Market, will be on hand with a special latte menu designed just for CHALK-A-BLOCK. Stay tuned for details!

Shop from local artists and makers including Stephen Lally Pottery, The Spicy Grasshopper, Designs by Diany, Apothecary Spices, & 3DPrintz4U!

Stay up to date on the latest CHALK-A-BLOCK details at:

https://www.oldtownnorthalliance.com/chalkablock

Voting for the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District Banner Design Project Closes Saturday, September 19th at Noon

Vote online for your preferred finalist through noon on Saturday, September 19th. The winning artist will be announced later that day during CHALK-A-BLOCK, on Saturday, September 19th, between 1pm and 2pm at Current Tidelock (1055 N. Fairfax St.).

The winning artist will work with OTNA to create new designs specifically for the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District. In this first phase of the project, a series of 18-20 banners will be installed on light poles along the district’s main corridors to establish a recognizable visual identity for the Arts & Cultural District while showcasing the creativity and character that define Old Town North.

The banner project is being funded through a combination of community sponsorships, a grant from the City of Alexandria through the Business and the Arts Collaborative Invitational Grant program, and financial support from OTNA.

VOTE NOW

Coming up in and around Old Town North…

Saturday, September 12th, noon-5pm

Made in ALX presents: Fall Makers Market

Port City Brewing Co. (3950 Wheeler Ave.)

Shop from a variety of local makers offering unique, handmade, and fall-inspired goodies; make your own art; and enjoy a drink from Port City Brewing Co.