Quad City Arts Salutes Winners of 5th-Annual Chalk Art Fest in Rock Island
Quad City Arts had a successful fifth-annual Chalk Art Festival last weekend – giving out $1,600 in cash prizes and new swag bag awards, as well as leaving amazing, colorful displays on the pavement at Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island.
The Chalk Art Fest top prize of $500 went to Elizabeth Niemczyk of Chicago.
“It was wildly successful,” Quad City Arts executive director Kevin Maynard said Tuesday morning of the June 26-27 event, which drew 66 artist entries – many representing teams, with over 100 artists participating altogether. That was roughly the same number of people who took part in the last two years of the festival.
“We are truly proud of all the talented artists who worked tirelessly for two days to create these beautiful pieces,” Alex Salaverria, Quad City Arts marketing and design director, posted on
3rd place ($250) went to Emily Menke, Alex Dessert, Rebecca Quick, and Nam Brennan of Coal Valley.
Facebook. “It was truly a sight to behold! We hope everyone had FUN, and we can’t wait to do it again next year.”
She thanked all the event’s generous sponsors who made the awards possible — Morency Giving Fund, Blick Art Materials, ALT 104.5 / Kiss FM , Davenport Noon Optimist Club, Daiquiri Factory, Rozz-Tox, WAKE Brewing, and City of Rock Island Government.
2nd place ($300) went to Maia Glover, Davenport.
The 2021 Chalk Art Fest winners are:
- 1st place ($500) — Elizabeth Niemczyk, Chicago
- 2nd place ($300) — Maia Glover, Davenport
- 3rd place ($250) — Emily Menke, Alex Dessert, Rebecca Quick, Nam Brennan, Coal Valley
- People’s Choice ($250) — Elizabeth Niemczyk, Chicago
- Honorable Mention ($100) — Deasia Hickman, Rock Island
- Honorable Mention ($100) — Katherine Cornwell, Bettendorf
- Youth 1st Place ($100 cash prize + $200 in art supplies to the school) — Katelyn Morris, Pleasant Valley High School
The new Swag Bag Awards, with gifts and merchandise donated by the Rock Island-based
The best music-themed artwork went to Delaney Carrol, Rock Island High School.
sponsors, went to:
- Youth Honorable Mention sponsored by Morency Giving Fund — Camille Wood , Pleasant Valley Jr. High School
- Best New Artist sponsored by Rozz-Tox — Grace Allison, Rich Ellis, Gilly Renk, Davenport
- Most Creative Concept sponsored by Daiquiri Factory — Faith Rae Mutum, Moline
- Best Musical Theme sponsored by WAKE Brewing — Delaney Carrol, Rock Island High School
- Best Reproduction sponsored by Blick Art Materials — Camille Wood, Pleasant Valley Jr. High School
- Most Humorous sponsored by Daiquiri Factory — Katelyn Morris, Pleasant Valley High School
Last year for the fourth-annual Chalk Art Fest, 100 artists participated during the second half of August, with photos of 62 entries (done at home or work) submitted for awards, and the top winner was from Fontana, Calif. Artists from all over the Quad-City region participated, with
The Chalk Art Fest top prize of $500 went to Elizabeth Niemczyk of Chicago.
artists also coming from Chicago and Raleigh, N.C.
Judges rank the chalk art on four categories — originality/creative expression, technical skill/composition, craftmanship/skill in use of material, and overall impact/design.
Unlike the 2019 two-day event, held in June as part of Bettendorf’s Be Downtown Festival, the
The most creative concept went to Faith Rae Mutum, Moline.
2020 Chalk Art Fest was open virtually, to anyone. Maynard on Tuesday said everyone was thrilled with the new location, at Schwiebert Park, which provided a perfect place for more live music than they’ve ever had before.
“It was great. It’s hard to put an exact number on attendance for festivals like that, but the number of people who participated in the People’s Choice Award more than doubled than the last time we were in person,” he said. “There were just more people there through the entirety of both days.”
“We got a lot of compliments from artists and visitors, who absolutely loved Schwiebert Park,” Maynard said.
To see images of all the fest winners, click HERE. For more information, visit www.quadcityarts.com/chalk-art-fest.html.
