Trey Reckling and the impact of Sidewalk Arts
Photos by Katherine Rountree.
Forsyth Park was a colorful combination of students, parents, locals and tourists as everyone crammed into the park to view the artwork at this year’s Sidewalk Arts Festival. The festival, which is on its thirty-third year, welcomes both new artists on the block as well as veterans who have returned to join in on the fun.
For Trey Reckling, SCAD’s director of student involvement, this is his sixteenth year at the festival. His first festival was “a lot smaller, much like the college itself.” But, according to Reckling, it has “grown tremendously.” He said that the festival has added interactive sections such as the student-designed swings, which were designed by Professor Ryan Bacha’s Digital Protyping and Fabrication Methods class.
“It grows every year,” Reckling said and pointed out that this year had the largest children’s tent.
“We’re expecting over a thousand kids,” he added. “10,000 people are expected to show up today.”
Another addition to the ever-growing festival was the 3-D element to the art. Reckling explained that there were 3-D glasses placed around Forsyth Park for the guests to view the work. The best 3-D art will win a special prize worth $750.
One of the reasons the Sidewalk Arts Festival is so popular is because “it’s a chance for different majors to go out here and have fun and show off their talents. This helps locals and guests see that,” Reckling added.
The Sidewalk Arts Festival is not only for students but for the community as well.
“This is a great opportunity to give back,” Reckling said. Aside from having the SCAD students participate in the competition, there are also squares available for high school students to join in.
Some local restaurants such as Leopold’s Ice Cream also set up booths to provide food and refreshments for both guests and students.
“Some people don’t get to go to galleries so we bring that experience to them,” Reckling said. The festival helps foster the “symbiotic relationship” between the school and the city.
“Plus it’s free for everyone to come out and enjoy the day.”
