Chalk Talks by Elva Hurst

All God’s Creatures

Experience a ‘bit of the farm” in these inspiring true stories of farm animals as they fulfill their created purpose in nature. This is a fun program that is well suited for adults and children.

Christmas Memories

This is a fun story of how Christmas was celebrated and winters enjoyed on the farm in Elva’s childhood. It includes sound effects of sleigh rides and ice-skating parties on the creek and how a 10-foot snowman was built at her one-room schoolhouse. Watching her illustrate this story, complete with glow in the dark snowflakes, will bring delight to children of all ages! Most of all, they will feel God’s hug on the inside as she tells of his great love shown to us at Christmas.

God Cares for Kids

God Cares for Kids tells the Bible story of Jesus and the children; how he took time for them and shared his love with them. Back in the days of the Bible, Jesus used little children to do big things, and he still does today!

School Days

In School Days, children will be able to experience what a day in school was like for Elva in her one-room country schoolhouse. They will also learn lessons about honesty and trust. This chalk talk uses music and sound effects that will provide an unforgettable experience for children of all ages!

Scout’s Honor

Scout’s Honor was originally written for a blue and gold banquet and has since been used for various cub, boy, and girl scout events. It is a fascinating story of how scouting originated and was brought to America. Elva shares true stories of heroic scouts’ services to the United States. Scouts will realize what a special privilege it is to be involved in these terrific programs as they watch the stories unfold!

Seed Time and Harvest

In this program, we learn from the story of Johnny Appleseed lessons of seed time and harvest and God’s spiritual laws of sowing and reaping. Seed Time and Harvest includes original music and songs specially written for this chalk talk. The picture is a fall harvest scene; therefore, this program is best for the late summer and autumn seasons.

The First Easter

In this chalk talk, Elva tells and illustrates the events of the very first Easter from Bible history. The story of our risen Savior brings life and hope to all!

The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd is a story from Elva’s childhood and her experience of having a lamb for a pet! Children will learn why the Bible compares us to sheep, and why we, like sheep need shepherds. This chalk talk combines the 23rd Psalm with art to show what life is like when Jesus is our shepherd.

Jolly The Snowman

On magical, moonlight, cold, frosty night join the children’s snowman as he explores the farm under the cover of night with his gang of farm animal friends, together they learn many valuable lessons in getting along with each other but above all they discover the meaning of Christmas in an unexpected discovery.

Christmas Greetings

Learn the history of an ancient holiday tradition that is still a part of our Christmas celebrations today. You will be encouraged to make a difference and consider others during the Christmas season using this timeless tool. Enjoy Time period music the artist creates a lovely Christmas scene right before your eyes, complete with colored and black light effects.

Faith and Thanksgiving

In Faith and Thanksgiving, you’ll hear from the journals of Christopher Columbus and William Bradford. Vivid details of the Mayflower voyage will make you feel as though you were there! You will be inspired by the evidence of the providence of God in the beginnings of a nation. The faith and the perseverance of the Pilgrims will help you consider your blessings and move you to give thanks gratefully!

Draw Near This Year

This is a great program for January. With special effects, Elva brings in the new year and leaves you with inspiration and resolution taken from the word Draw. Draw Near This Year is a work of art that you’ll never forget!

History of the Carols

The story of how our carols originated and the events surrounding their writing. Suddenly, these beloved carols you have enjoyed since your youth have become more meaningful than ever!

Legends and Traditions of Christmas

Enjoy the story of how and why we have come to use candy canes and carols at Christmas time. Also, learn about several other symbols we use to help us celebrate the season. This holiday chalk talk is specially written for an audience that includes children.

Memories of a Great Generation

Senior citizens greatly enjoy this program as they reminisce about the unforgettable era of World War II. Other generations will be greatly inspired by the lessons of their lives and serve as the meaning of “God and Country” comes to life. This program features the music of Kate Smith and Glen Miller. It is great for patriotic holidays but can be used for any event.

O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree shows how this beautiful tradition came to America and highlights Christmas tree lighting ceremonies in our Nation’s capital. It also includes the voices of presidents from the past up to the present. A moving speech from the heart of Ronald Reagan reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.

O Holy Night

Learn how God used an unlikely poet to bring this beloved carol to the world with its powerful message of the redemption of mankind. It came to America at a time when peace on earth seemed impossible! “O Holy Night” will become even more precious to you after hearing this amazing story.

Peace On Earth

Chalk artist Elva Hurst will tell of her childhood Christmas Eve experience in her one-room school, as well as Christmas morning at home on the farm and in her Old Order Mennonite church. There, on the hard wooden bench, she heard the Christmas story. The sacred meaning of her favorite Christmas carol unfolds as she paints a spectacular Christmas scene in fluorescent blacklight chalk.

Valentines Day

This chalk talk has been written especially for sweetheart banquets. It is a heartwarming story of how Valentine’s Day originated. You will learn about the “God-kind of love” that helps us stay “sweet” in the ups and downs of our love relationships.

The Cross

The Cross is a compelling story in chalk that illustrates God’s great love for us and his powerful redemption of mankind. This program is great not only for the Easter season but any time of year!

The Music of Christmas

Learn the inspiring history of a famous musical composition: a Christmas masterpiece called “Handel’s Messiah.” This story of Christmas, put to music, is sure to bring the Christmas spirit to your holiday celebrations.

The Reason We Celebrate the Season

This program takes you back to the beginning of time. It follows the story of man’s redemption, beautifully woven through Old Testament prophecies and fulfilled in the New on that silent night in the little town of Bethlehem.

A Glimpse of Heaven

What is heaven? How can one describe it? It’s out of this world! Heaven is the subject all Christians love to talk about. Elva loves to draw about it as well! In this chalk talk, she shares the glimpse of heaven as given to us in the Word of God. The black light part of the program closes with a song by Mercy Me called “I Can Only Imagine.”

All God’s Creatures

Experience a ‘bit of the farm” in these inspiring true stories of farm animals as they fulfill their created purpose in nature. This is a fun program that is well suited for adults and children.

A Psalm to Live By

A Psalm to Live By is based on a psalm that is the favorite of many: the 23rd Psalm. This chalk talk, with its quieting, comforting effect, powerfully portrays the provision found in the presence of the Lord our Shepherd!

A Story in Art

In this chalk talk, Elva shares the story of how she discovered art. She also discusses the story of Grandma Moses, Grant Wood, and other artists who have impacted her life and successfully served their generation. Elva illustrates how amazing things can happen when you simply set out to do something. These stories will motivate you to try what you’ve always wanted to do, even though you felt like you couldn’t or simply didn’t have the time.

Be Encouraged

Your heart will be uplifted by inspirational music, story, and song while the chalk artist quickly draws a magnificent landscape that is illuminated with special lighting effects. Comforting words of scripture are sure to bring encouragement and peace to your soul.

Birds in All Seasons

This chalk talk will thrill the bird lover and help all who watch to slow down, relax, and hear again the bird song that has been drowned out by life’s distractions. You will leave inspired by valuable life lessons learned from the birds!

Faith and Forgiveness

Join us for a unique opportunity to engage your senses through music, storytelling, and the amazing chalk artistry of former old-order Mennonite woman, Elva Hurst in this inspiring and captivating drama, Elva offers rare insight into the plain community with a true story that comes to life right before your eyes.

Farm Memories

This program is about the sights and sounds, memories, and many lessons learned on the dairy farm of Elva’s upbringing. Farm Memories was originally written for a PA Holstein convention and has since been used to entertain various farm gatherings.

Happy Birthday

This chalk talk has been written for adult birthday parties. Both fun and uplifting, this program moves one to praise God and celebrate life!

Harvest Time

Watch the bright colors of Autumn come to life with black light and florescent chalk as the Harvest moon rises over the fields of the old home farm. Reminisce with the artist as she shares warm memories of harvest times past. You will joy in the twilight of autumn and marvel at the wonders that God’s world imparts, realizing the bounty of his goodness. When trusting in his care, you will see that you are blessed to be a blessing!

Hymn Histories

Hymn Histories is the human and divine story behind the writing of some of the favorite hymns of the church. These expressions of faith have survived for generations, even centuries, and continue to proclaim the faithfulness of our God and King.

In a Garden of Flowers

This chalk talk is sure to be relaxing as you listen to bird songs and sounds of nature and watch as Elva draws various kinds of flowers in their natural setting. All the while, you will learn their meaning and origin and enjoy again God’s gift to you in flowers. This program is well suited for ladies’ gatherings of all kinds but is also enjoyed by anyone who likes gardening.

Nature’s Story

In this chalk talk, the artist draws inspiration from the beauty of nature all around us. In this beauty, there is a “story” which Elva reveals as the chalk talk progresses. “Nature’s Story” is an inspirational chalk talk, complete with sound effects and a colored light show, a great program for adults and children alike.

Mid-Winter’s Beauty

In spite of the cold and snow, the message of ‘Mid-Winter’s Beauty’ is sure to warm your heart as the artist highlights the special blessings of the season, closing with an inspiration from scripture to lift the spirit.

Our Great American Songs

“Our Great American Songs” explains the history behind popular American songs. Elva shares inspiring stories about the United States’ National Anthem and other songs from the past. This chalk talk will leave you excited and moved about “the land of the free and home of the brave!”

Patchwork Memories

Watch a heartwarming scene unfold before your eyes while hearing the legacy of the quilt making arts, a rich heritage left to us by thrifty, self-sufficient women who helped settle the land, passing this beautiful art down the generations and carrying it on to the future—the perfect entertainment for your quilters’ quilt or sewing circle.

Seasons of a Women’s Life

This chalk talk is written especially for women’s events, such as mother and daughter banquets. Various age groups are represented by personal stories from girls and women as they journeyed through life from childhood to senior citizens and beyond. Women will see how a personal relationship with a loving Heavenly Father makes all the difference in their experience of the seasons and changes that life brings to all of us!

Spring’s Unfolding Days

Join the artist in a celebration of the glorious season of springtime in a walk through the woods. Find violets and bluebells by the creek bank. You’ll feel the excitement of springtime on the farm. With a touch of Easter, the scene will impart a living hope as resurrection glory fills your heart. “In the miracle of springtime, our faith is renewed again; there is a resurrection from death to life again!”

The Wedding

The Wedding is designed for wedding receptions. In this program, Elva draws the bride and groom’s honeymoon destination! This chalk talk is a great way to entertain guests, as well as newlyweds!

The Word is “GO”

This program encourages the heart of the missionary, both at home and abroad. In the great commission, every Christian is called in some way or another to “go” into their world and share the good news of the Gospel!

Together We Serve

Together We Serve is designed to entertain Lions’ club gatherings. It has been used at district conventions, charter nights, president’s nights, and other events. This program explores the history of the club, praises the efforts of service-minded people, and encourages and inspires them to continue in service to their communities.

You Can Make a Difference

In You Can Make a Difference, you’ll hear a few of Elva’s favorite stories about people from the Bible and modern-day history. These people served God and their fellowman wholeheartedly and made a significant difference in their generations. This chalk talk will motivate the listener to find and fulfill their God-given destiny. Remember, we all have a purpose, and we can all make a difference!

Autumn Days

Experience the glory of Autumn Days in art as the artist takes you on a walk home from her one-room country school of her youth; the beauty and blessings of the season will bring gratitude in your heart and prepare you for Thanksgiving celebrations.

Then Comes Spring

Celebrate the beauty and blessings of springtime, both in nature and in the seasons of the soul. Inspiring hope and courage as you watch a vibrant Spring scene unfold before your eyes.

Caring And Sharing

In this chalk talk, the artist brings to life a memory of the unforgettable experience of an Amish/Mennonite barn-raising in her neighborhood. You will be reminded of the blessings that sharing and caring for others brings, realizing that a need is met in your own life when you give.