Madonnari Arts Festival Beginnings
The Madonnari Arts Festival was the first chalk art or street painting festival in Baltimore and Maryland. The festival was started and founded by Michael Kirby in 2004. Mr. Kirby spent 10 years overseas working as a Madonnaro in the 1990s and when he returned to the city of his birth in 2002, he wanted to start a Madonnari Festival in Baltimore. With the help of the Creative Alliance in Highlandtown, Mr. Kirby was able to start the first Madonnari Arts Festival in Highlandtown. The festival was held in Highlandtown for 3 years.
Madonnari Arts Festival in Highlandtown.
The Madonnari Arts Festival had its humble beginnings in Highlandtown. In 2004 with the Creative Alliance as its fiscal sponsor, the Madonnari Arts Festival was started on the streets of Highlandtown in Baltimore. The first festival consisted of Maestro Madonnaro, Michael Kirby, local artists, and students from the local schools.
The Festival was a part of the yearly Family Fun Day outside the Creative Alliance and hosted live performances and music throughout the event.
Below you can find a collection of photographs from the first couple of years of the Madonnari Arts Festival in Baltimore.
