The winners of the 2009 Gesso Italiano voting are:

Best in Show Lori Escalera

Most Creative Tanner Rowe

Best Educational Team Canyon Crest Academy

Dear Gesso Italiano Artist,

You are cordially invited to be an artist in the Little Italy Festa's Gesso Italiano: Chalk Painting Event. For those of you who have not participated in a street painting event in San Diego's Little Italy before, Gesso Italiano is a part of a larger festival called the Little Italy Festa. Over the past 16 years, it has grown so that we now draw over 120,000 attendees from all over the United States on Sunday. This year Gesso Italiano is moving to a one-day event and will be held on Festa day, October 10th, from 10:00am to 6:00pm. After hearing many complaints regarding the cold weather, we have also decided to move the site for Gesso Italiano to India Street, between Fir and Grape Streets, and put the chalk portion of the event in the buzz of the Festa.

A few years ago the Little Italy Association decided to bring Gesso Italiano in-house and move in a new direction; a celebration of the traditional art from the old world. With a push to take the festival back to its original roots of the Madonnari in Italy, we are requesting that all artists create an Italian themed rendition. We welcome your creative interpretations…from a rendition of the works of an Italian master, Italian scenery or an image of an Italian person that has contributed their skills in acting, singing, art or science…the possibilities are endless. We have also limited the spacing in the event and created a new uniform size, 6' x 6', for all artists.

As in previous years, we will have public voting held throughout the day. The prizes are as follows; Best in Show ($500.00), Most Creative ($350.00) and Best Educational Team ($350.00). So select your creation wisely and wow us with your amazing work!

We are also recommending that all artists bring a “Tips Jar” that will allow the public to reward you for all your hard work. Make it fun and unique!

Please complete the application if you are interested in participating as an artist in this year's event.

Click Here to Download Application

Application deadline to be a Gesso Italiano Artist is Monday, September 27, 2010. This will allow us to add your team name and/or artist names below your square.

If you have any questions you may contact me at chris@littleitalysd.com or call me at 619-233-3898. We look forward to hearing from you. We also welcome your comments and any input you may have.

Ciao,
Chris Gomez
Gesso Italiano Coordinator
Little Italy Association