Do713 - What to do in Houston

Art aficionados and enthusiasts, get ready for the most captivating art experience of the year. On November 19 and 20, the streets of downtown will transform into a live street art museum made of chalk.
 

Houston Via Colori® is the only street painting festival in Texas, benefiting The Center for Hearing and Speech. This annual fall fundraiser is expected to raise more than $325,000 to support the development of hearing-impaired children. For six years Via Colori has painted the City’s pavement, increasing public access to art and building community awareness about hearing loss in children. The Center for Hearing and Speech is a non-profit organization that exists to provide children who are deaf or hard of hearing with the listening, speaking and literacy skills needed to succeed in the mainstream hearing world.

“It never ceases to amaze me how stunning and mesmerizing each mural takes shape. It is all made possible by the uncompromising support we receive from Houston,” said Renée S. Davis, executive director of The Center for Hearing and Speech. “Our artists, sponsors and, most importantly, our attendees make this festival truly incomparable. We are proud that we can share this one-of-a-kind art form with the entire community.”

This free, two-day event will take attendees on an interactive journey through art, culture and sound. They can get a firsthand view as the artists sit, kneel and lie down with pastel chalk in hand – bringing the asphalt to life. With more than 200 artists, 16 live bands and 14 family-friendly activities, people of all ages are sure to enjoy this event.

Every year Via Colori displays some of the top professional street painters in the nation as well as the exceptional talents of Houston-area artists.  This year, Via Colori will showcase the artistry of nine guest artists from across the country, including The Center for Hearing and Speech Featured Artist, Houston-based muralist Anat Ronen.

“Part of the fun is that the artwork is ephemeral,” said Lisa Benitez, event manager of Via Colori. “It is literally here for two days and then gone forever.”

When the festival ends on Sunday, the murals are erased from the streets as if they had never existed.

For more information on Via Colori, visit HoustonViaColori.com, follow the event on Twitter @Via_Colori, or visit the fan page on Facebook. 

About the beneficiary, The Center for Hearing and Speech (CHS)

For 65 years, The Center for Hearing and Speech has been dedicated to improving the lives of deaf children through clinical, education and support services. All of the Center’s programs demonstrate a commitment to enable children with hearing impairments to reach their full potential by teaching them listening, speaking and literacy skills. Since 1947, the Center has given thousands of children the tools they need to achieve independence in society.

For more information on The Center for Hearing and Speech, visit CenterHearingandSpeech.org, follow the Center on twitter @HelpingKidsHear, or visit the fan page on Facebook.