Artist stakes claim in street chalk scene

When most people think of street art, they envision vibrant murals or graffiti sprawled across a blank brick canvas. But today, chalk art is emerging as the new frontier in public art, offering a fresh perspective and turning the ground beneath our feet into a canvas for creativity. Stacey Bennett, who’s chalk artwork of Steve the Goat can be found at the Shell petrol station in Jimboomba, has been making waves in the local art scene, blending her passion for pastels with the captivating world of chalk art. While she has been honing her craft since childhood, it wasn’t until recently that Ms Bennett decided to take her artistry more seriously, with chalk art becoming a major focus over the past year. Known for her work as a pastel studio artist, Ms Bennetts usual medium involves working indoors on paper, creating framed pieces for sale. However, chalk art is a new venture for her. “I started dabbling on my back veranda with chalk art, much to the delight of my kids and husband,” she said. Ms Bennetts big break came when she saw an opportunity to participate in the Yarram Chalk Art Festival, which has been running since 2021. Though...