The poster for the eighth annual Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival will be based on a design submitted by Caryn Chavarria, a Latina artist and Rockville resident who specializes in painting, digital art and photography. Her design will be used to promote and artfully represent this year’s event, which is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 29, in Downtown Wheaton.
Ms. Chavarria teaches digital art, photography and ceramics at Rockville High School. As the winner of poster contest, she will receive a cash prize of $500 donated jointly by IHOP Wheaton and the Los Chorros Restaurant in Wheaton.
The poster contest was open to all residents of Montgomery County. After Ms. Chavarria’s artwork was selected, she worked with Wheaton Arts Parade designer Josue Martinez of Corinto Gallery to incorporate her artwork into the design for the poster and the event’s T-shirt. It will be featured in all promotional materials leading up to the parade.
The annual Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sept. 29 in the Wheaton Triangle and on the Marian Fryer Plaza, which is adjacent to the entrance of the Wheaton Metro Station. The Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival is a day for residents, artists, businesses and civic organizations to celebrate art and Wheaton’s diverse cultures. The art parade kicks off the day and the community then gathers at a festival of performances, art exhibits and food.
“My design aims to encapsulate the essence of the parade and festival,” said Ms. Chavarria, “which includes an appreciation for arts, music, food and decor. Additionally, through the use of one-line drawings, I wanted to capture the diversity of Wheaton, as well as the community’s interconnectedness. I also wanted to pay homage to the triangular and pyramid motif of Wheaton Arts Parade. The color scheme was chosen to show the vibrancy of the community and of the festival as well as the movement that encapsulates Wheaton.”
As part of the prize, an additional $100 will be donated to Rockville High School for art supplies in Ms. Chavarria’s honor.
“As a life-long resident of Wheaton and local business owner, I appreciate what Wheaton Arts Parade has done to celebrate our community and activate the arts district,” said IHOP owner and prize sponsor William Moore.” I am honored to sponsor the annual poster contest and to reward the creative efforts of local artists like Caryn.”
Los Chorros owner and prize sponsor Omar Lazo said: “The artwork is truly remarkable and captures the vibrant spirit of our community. We are proud to join Wheaton Arts Parade in celebrating the power of art and its ability to bring people together."
More than 50 festival spaces are available in the 2024 festival for artists to rent to exhibit and sell their original artwork and for arts organizations and community organizations to promote their activities. The day is inspired by the parade and the closure of roads so that people can pull giant floats and show off their art, play music and dance.
Schools and community organizations are encouraged to make floats for the arts parade and artists of all kinds are invited to push, pull, carry, wear or perform their art in the parade. There are no motor vehicles. It is free to enter. Registration is open now for parade participants, art vendors, performers, exhibitors and food vendors. Funds are available for individuals and groups to help in creating their floats and parade art.
To register or learn more about the parade and festival, go to www.wheatonartsparade.org. More information also is available by emailing info@wheatonartsparade.org.
