Downtown Colorado Springs is becoming an outdoor art space as eighth graders from Colorado Springs School District 11 create chalk murals near the Pioneers Museum and Acacia Park for the district’s second annual Chalktober.
The two-day project centers on this year’s theme, “Freedom to Thrive.” D11 said students were invited to explore what freedom, opportunity and thriving mean to them through public art. Thursday’s session took place on the sidewalks in front of the Pioneers Museum. On Friday, students are working in Acacia Park from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; that session is still underway this morning.
KOAA reported that 750 students created art outside the museum on Thursday and that more than 700 students were at Acacia Park on Friday. The outlet reported that students came from all nine D11 middle schools and described designs including Lady Liberty, eagles and flags. KOAA characterized overall participation as “over 1,500” students. That total is the outlet’s reported figure, rather than a count calculated here from the separate day-by-day numbers.
The work gives students a chance to make art alongside classmates and share ideas in a public setting. KOAA quoted eighth grader Avery Washburn on enjoying the opportunity to draw with friends. Another student, Clemmy Hollenbeck, told the station the group had put effort into representing itself and its school community. Their perspectives point to both the creative and collaborative parts of the activity: students are making images together and putting their interpretations where people moving through downtown can encounter them.
D11 describes Chalktober as an eighth-grade Peak Experience. The district says Peak Experiences are immersive, standards-connected learning opportunities offered across grade levels. They use exploration, creativity and collaboration to help students build confidence and strengthen their agency. With Chalktober, the learning extends onto downtown sidewalks, where art becomes a shared public experience.
D11 art teacher and muralist Lisa Roman is joining students at Acacia Park as the guest artist. The district says Roman will share her professional experience and help students consider how public art can bring people together, strengthen a sense of place and help a community thrive. D11 identified Roman as a current district art teacher who has also created work in New York and had opportunities to work with artists including Fifth Harmony and Camila Cabello.
The district framed Roman’s involvement as a chance for students to learn directly from a working artist and think about how their own creativity can make an impact beyond the classroom. Her role connects the students’ activity to public art’s place in a community, while keeping the focus on their own ideas and work.
The Chalktober sessions also coincide with the start of Arts Month programming in downtown Colorado Springs. The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum has scheduled its First Friday: Kick-Off Arts Month event for Friday, Oct. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. The museum listing invites visitors to explore exhibits, enjoy new art and see the D11 Chalktober murals in the surrounding park. That evening viewing window will follow the student session at Acacia Park and give families and other community members a chance to visit the area later in the day.
D11 invited students, families, alumni and community members to celebrate eighth-grade creativity. KOAA reported that students hoped their artwork would brighten the days of people walking through downtown. As Friday’s session continues, the project is bringing young artists’ ideas into view and connecting a district learning experience with the city’s public arts programming.
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