Some call it part urban art festival and part family-friendly fun. We like to call it our favorite day of the summer.
Chalkfest will take place once again on the UW-Eau Claire campus on Saturday, July 30. Artists will start sketching their chalk art masterpieces in the wee hours of the morning (around 7 a.m.), and public viewing hours are from 11 a.m. — 7 p.m.
In addition to the elaborate, large-scale chalk artwork, there will be local food and art vendors, live musical performances, chalk-related games (including Pictionary tournaments and artist duels) and a large area for younger children to participate in a collaborative kids’ mural. Blugold Radio will host the event, allowing UW-Eau Claire students to provide DJ-ing and announcements throughout the day.
Historically, Chalkfest had been hosted by Volume One in Eau Claire’s Owen Park since its inaugural 2008 event. But since partnering with UW-Eau Claire last year, it has gained more than just a new location.
“Partnering with UWEC has allowed Chalkfest to grow as an event with the community, incorporate more artists and accommodations for both artists and attendees that would have never been possible at the old location and provide an awesome, grand environment to showcase local art,” said Lindsey Quinnies, program manager at Volume One. “It’s also great to work with the people at UWEC that are equally passionate about making something great for this community and to know we have the physical space moving forward to satisfy even more growth. It’s been a great transition!”
Artists are encouraged to register before the event online, but can also do so on the day of the event. Starting this year, artists can pick their own spot along the sidewalk. Artists will compete for prizes in several categories: Overall Audience Choice, Individual, Group, Youth Individual and Youth Group, and winners will be chosen by both judges and Chalkfest-goers.
In response to several requests made last year, artist spaces will only take up half of the sidewalk in order to provide more accessibility to the artwork for people with disabilities and parents with strollers.
The finished artwork will be available for public viewing until the rain washes it away — which we hope isn’t for a long time!
Spectators can take in all the elaborate, large-scale chalk artwork from the vantage point of Blu’s Birdseye Viewing Deck in Centennial Hall’s third-floor atrium overlooking the campus mall.
Want to be part of the big day, but aren’t so sure about your artistic abilities? Chalkfest is looking for a variety of volunteers to make the best experience possible for artists and attendees alike. (And take home a free t-shirt!)
Free parking for the event will be available in the university’s Hibbard Parking Lot at the corner of State Street and Garfield Avenue.
Chalkfest is made possible by sponsors UW-Eau Claire, Festival Foods, Royal Credit Union and Volume One.
