ARTS Arts festival goers can 'chalk one up' By Stephanie Thiessen CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF he downtown core might soon resemble a mass murder scene, with hundreds of chalk body out- lines spilling onto Main Street. But don't let that intimidate you. Tom Dietrich's latest art project is nothing to shy away from - especially since he needs your help. June 10 from 1 to 6 p.m., the Campbellville artist will be on assign- ment at the Arts Milton Festival on Main Street, tracing the outlines of anyone who's willing to throw caution to the wind and lie down on the ground. The project is aptly titled 'Chalk One Up'. It's going to be a meandering river going up and down the street," said Dietrich, a member of the Fine Arts Society of Milton (FASM). The outlines, which will continue onto the sidewalk, will create a scene of human interaction, chronicling the explorations of festival-goers, Dietrich said. And it'll answer the question 'What makes up a community?' "Take away all the people, and it's noth- ing. Just a bunch of boxes," he said. "We're the lifeblood, spirit and energy. I was looking for something that depicted that." Dietrich said the festival route will become an overlapping collage of colour much like the organic stains left by fallen leaves. "Its quite a wonderful pattern that stays there. Its fleeting. Its only there for a moment,".he said, explaining, "This is my own idea of the leaves, only it's people." For the art to accurately reflect the mood of the festival, it's got to be fun, he said, adding the chalk does that because it reminds people of their childhood. Dietrich said he hopes people of all ages, shapes and sizes will help him out, whether young or old, skinny or pregnant. He wants to capture all stages of life, he said. Though rain will wash the colourful dis- play away soon enough, Dietrich said it'l continue to exist in the memories of partici- pants. Dietrich is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work ranges from sculptures to draw- ings to paintings. Much of his work focuses on the relation- ship between people and the environment. "Our relationships are reflected in the environment and the environment influ- ences our relationships. Its a continuous cir- cle," he said. GRAHAM PAINE / CANADIAN CHAMPION CHALKIN' ONE UP: Artist Tom Dietrich finishes a chalk outline of Mayor Gord Krantz out front of Town Hall to promote the June 10 Arts Milton Festival, which will feature human chalk outlines on downtown Main Street. It took a while before Dietrich fully pur- sued his passion for art, enrolling at Ontario College of Art and Design in 2000. "I always had an interest (in art), but it took a long time before I pushed it. But it was always something I was going to come back to," he said. Now, Dietrich is starting to make a name for himself. In September and October, his work will be featured at Homer-Watson gallery in Kitchener-W'aterloo, his first solo show at a public art gallery. It's very exciting. When you start any- thing like this, its a hope and a dream. When it manifests and starts to becone a reality, its like, 'Oh bo"," he said. "In a sense, its a terrible responsibility because all of a sudden the bar is raised." The exhibit will include paintings and sculptures. One sculpture is an 80-pound bronze log, an interpretation of Daphne, a star crossed lover in Greek mythology who was turned into a tree. "It's the organic side of humanity. We don't live forever," Dietrich explained. Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com. Women of Note gearing up for show next Friday An intimate concert blending together music, art and fundraising is the Women of Note's latest project. Next Friday at noon, the vocal ensemble will perform at Hugh Foster Hall beside Town Hall Victoria Park. The concert will pay tribute to Mozart, whose 250th anniversary is this year, and also to nature and the ideal of peace. "The music promises to be joyful, rich in beautiful melodies and thought-provoking, and all of it sung in the beautifully-blended style that has become a hallmark of the Women of Note," said director LauraJeffrey Tickets cost $10 and must be purchased in advance, due to the limited capacity of the venue, fron choir members or by calling (905) 878-2432. This is the first time the Women of Note will perform at Hugh Foster Hall, which is known for its acoustics. Also new this year is the ensemble's part- nership with FASM (Fine Arts Society of Milton) artists, who'il display a sampling of their wsork to promote the lune 10 Arts Milton Festival. Money raised from ticket sales will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which pro- vides relief lor HIV/AIDS victims and their families in Africa. Also, Robert Goderre, owner of the Harrop Restaurant, will be on hand to ask for the audiences financial support for a fundraising triathlon - called the Tri- Adventure - hes doing for the foundation. DO IT YOURSELF SEMINAR: INSTALLING PAVERS & WALLS • MEET THE PROS FROM Saturday, June3 CAPR 10am til 12pm 2082 QUEENSWAY DRIVE, East of Brant, south off Plains Rd. WnWac (905) 634-7707 • LEARN HOW EASY IT IS TO INSTALL PATIOS, WALKWAYS AND MORE • BUILD A GARDEN WALL OR RETAINING WALL MON - FRI 7AM-6PM SAl 8A5PM . - 1