Xenia: A Moment in Chalk
Chalk-A-Block 2026 • North Old Town Alexandria • September 19, 2026
On September 19, 2026, North Old Town Alexandria came alive with color, creativity, and community spirit during Chalk-A-Block 2026, beautifully organized by the North Old Town Alliance.
I was honored to create a large floral chalk artwork titled “Xenia,” a flower bursting with deep and luminous colors. To my great joy, Xenia received the People’s Choice Award. I am deeply grateful to everyone who stopped to look, shared encouragement, and participated in the community voting. This recognition made the experience especially meaningful.
There was so much beautiful and unique artwork throughout the event, showcasing an extraordinary range of imagination and talent. It was wonderful to see artists transform the pavement into temporary galleries and to watch the community gather around art.
A special highlight was having Mayor Gaskins visit the artists and take time to hear the stories behind our work. Her words of encouragement brought another meaningful dimension to the day—reminding us that art is not only about what we create, but also about the stories, emotions, and connections we share with one another.
There is something particularly ethereal about chalk art. It is a true labor of love—created with care, knowing that its physical presence may be short-lived. Rain, wind, footsteps, and passing traffic will eventually erase what took hours to create. And perhaps that is part of its beauty. Xenia may not remain on the pavement for long, but I hope the feeling it created will. I hope its bright colors, its joyful presence, and the experience of seeing it together with the community leave a small, lasting impression.
As an artist, I believe that art does not have to be permanent to have permanence. Sometimes, a fleeting image can create a lasting memory. I am grateful to the North Old Town Alliance, the artists, volunteers, neighbors, visitors, and everyone who participated in Chalk-A-Block 2026 for creating such a joyful celebration of art and community. And I am especially grateful that Xenia had a moment to bloom—and that the community chose to celebrate it with me.
Xenia - Chalk A Block 2026 Xenia - Chalk A Block 2026 Xenia - Chalk A Block 2026
Xenia Chalk Art by Anila Angjeli (10'x10') Chalk A Block 2026, North Old Town Alexandria, VA
ALine Architecture LLC is a full-service Architecture and Interior Design studio based in Alexandria, Fairfax County, VA. Beyond our core design practice, we also enrich the community by creating and sharing engaging, artful projects that inspire and delight.
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