Guinness World Record – World’s Largest Pavement Art
In June of 2008, 6,000 people (over 4,000 elementary school children) from Alameda CA, USA worked collaborately over two weeks to create the world largest chalk drawing, setting a new Guinness World Record. Over 90,000 sq. ft. were covered with beautiful colored chalk and a satellite photograph from 423 miles miles high was taken of the artwork.
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Official GWR Statement
“The largest chalk pavement art measured 90,000 ft2 (8,361 m2), and was created by 5,678 children from schools in Alameda, California, USA, for the Kids’ Chalk Art Project between May 27 – June 7, 2008.”
Final Day Opening Ceremony – 1,800 people attended
Kite and Pole Photograph by Michael Layefsky
The Story of the Ginkgo Leaf and the Salamander
[slider title=”The Journey Home, Remember?”]
Once upon a time there were two kids who were exploring beyond where they had ever been and… they got lost. They couldn”™t remember how to get home, and as your storyteller — I can”™t remember how this story ends, so I need your help!
For three days and nights they walked, and finally came across an old house where an Old Lady and Old Man lived. The children stay for several days and helped out around the house. Imagine being one of the kids and helping out old people, what would you do?
Would you do the dishes, lift heavy things, garden, paint the house, what color? Would you chalk draw for them, tell them stories, would you listen to their stories?
Then the children were finally ready to leave. The Old Man gave them a FIRE SALAMANDER, which is one of the oldest living creatures on this planet. It is described as a living dinosaur. There is new salamander in this millennium, it”™s called a Tiger Salamander, it”™s an endangered species that lives right here in the wetlands of Northern California.
The Old Lady gave them a leaf from a GINKGO TREE, which is one of the oldest living plants on this planet; it”™s 270 million years old! There are gingko trees here in Alameda. Some ginkgo (ginkgo biloba) is used to help us think well — it”™s a plant that helps in remembering.
The kids put the salamander and the leaf together and guess what happened? Yup… the salamander ate the leaf and must have remembered something because it took off running the kids followed close behind. Then, one by one, each of the elementary schools”™ mascot/totem animals shows up to help the kids remember how to get home.
The Edison Otter helps them have fun and not worry. The Washington Tiger helps them be courageous. The Otis Owl helps them to see at night and be wise. The Bayfarm Dolphin helps them cross the water and learn about love. The Henry Haight Eagle flies high and helps them see the big picture. The Franklin Falcon helps them communicate to each other. The Lum Bear reminds them to rest and learn about dreaming. The Paden Pelican teaches the kids about working together. The Ruby Bridges Star lights their way at night and points the way.
And Saint Joseph reminds the children that they are “already home because they are connected to nature.” (said by second grade child)
And how does the story end? Remember, I can”™t remember, it”™s up to you using your CREATIVITY & IMAGINATION.
Told by the Storyteller – Mark Wagner to the elementary school children of Alameda.[/slider]
Satellite Photograph by GeoEye Images from 423 miles high.
SPECIAL THANKS
to the City of Alameda, Alameda Unified School District, Alameda PTA Council, Alameda Education Foundation, and the East Bay Nation of Men.