Quad City Arts Back in Person for 5th-Annual Chalk Art Fest June 26-27
The 5th-annual Chalk Art Fest will be June 26-27 at Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island.
While last year’s Quad City Arts Chalk Art Fest was virtual, the fifth-annual event will be back live and in person June 26-27, at Schwiebert Riverfront Park, in downtown Rock Island, directly across the street from Quad City Arts headquarters and gallery.
The 2020 first-place winner was Yuji Baba of Fontana, Calif.
Last year’s event was spread out over two weeks in the second half of August, where 100 artists chalked up their driveways, porches and sidewalks, and the first-place winner was from southern California.
Inspiring and engaging for people of all ages, this free, two-day street painting festival in June will bring together hundreds of local and regional artists that spend hours transforming the blank cement pavement into magnificent works of art, using only the medium of chalk.
Visitors strolling by can see the wonderful works of art as they come to life, vote for their favorite and even do some chalk art of their own, by taking part in the collaborative community piece, according to a Quad City Arts release. Thanks to generous sponsors, over $1,600 in cash prizes and giveaways will again be awarded in various categories including people’s choice and youth category award.
The youth award gives students aged 12-17 the opportunity to compete for a $100 cash prize and $200 in art supplies for their respective school. There is no fee for artists to participate and they may register as an individual or as a team of up to four people.
The fest will feature live music, a variety of food and drink vendors and kids’ activities. To ensure a safe and socially distanced event, all artist squares will be spaced six feet apart.
The hours at Schwiebert Park will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 26 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27. Works must be finished by 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 27 for judging, and awards will be announced on stage at 3:30 p.m. that day.
The 2020 first-place youth winner was Kaetyln Morris of Pleasant Valley High School.
Prizes will be $500 for 1st Place, $200 for second, $250 for third, and $250 for the People’s Choice Award. Two Honorable Mentions will be given out, with $100 each. The Youth Award is $100 + $200 in art supplies awarded to the artists’ school.
New this year will be swag bags awarded in various categories including Most Humorous, Most Creative Concept and Best New Artist!
The community can also participate in creating some chalk art, by taking part in a collaborative community piece. For just a $5 donation, interested participants are given a set of chalk to fill in a 2-foot-by-2-foot portion of a larger image. When finished, the larger piece will come to life as a complete work of art.
Plus, participants get to keep their chalk, take it home and create a masterpiece on their own sidewalk!
Registration for the Chalk Art Fest is FREE to all artists, and includes a 48-count box of pastels, lunch vouchers for both days and a free T-shirt. The deadline for registration is June 10th.
A full lineup of bands, food trucks, vendors and activities will be coming soon. For more information and upcoming event schedule or to register as an artist, visit www.quadcityarts.com/chalk-art-fest or www.facebook.com/quadcityarts.
