CHALK ART FEST RUles and Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in becoming an artist at this year’s Chalk Art Fest. This event is designed to celebrate artists coming together to share their creativity and talents with the community.  Before participating in the event please read the information and rules listed below.
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Important Dates
Registration deadline………………………………… May 24, 2024
Event Dates……………………………………….June 22 & 23, 2024
Works must be completed by 3:00pm on June 25 to be eligible for judging

CHALK ART Competition RULES ​

ARTIST CHECK-IN

• Artist(s) are required to check-in and work on their art both days of the festival to qualify for awards. Artists not checked in by 12pm on Saturday, June 22nd may forfeit their square.

SPACE ASSIGNMENTS

• Artists will be assigned an 8' x 10’ section of pavement on a first come, first serve basis upon arrival. We will not be accepting requests for space assignments, unless there is handicap accommodation needed.
• Chalk art is only to be produced in designated and assigned areas.
• Youth category will have a smaller 6'x6' square in a designated area and will be judged separately from adult award categories. Youth category is still eligible for youth and artist choice awards. *At least one team member must be 12 years of age or older and all team members must be 17 or younger by the time of the competition to be eligible for youth category award.
  
  

ARTIST WORK HOURS

• Artists must only work on their drawings during the approved work hours but are not required to work for the entire duration of the festival. The unique draw of attendees to the festival is based on our guests’ ability to see the artists in action. Artists may NOT work on their art outside of the Artist Work Hours as provided below.

 
Artist Work Hours are defined as:
Saturday, June 22 – 9AM – 10PM
Sunday, June 23 9AM – 3PM

• Your work must be completed by 3PM on Sunday, June 23 to be eligible for awards. The Awards Presentation will take place on the main stage at 4:30PM. Please report to the stage at that time.

 
ADDITONAL RULES & INFORMATION

• Artists may create original works or reproductions of other works. If you are creating a reproduction of a pre-existing piece by another artist, you must credit the original artist and title in a visible location immediately next to your artwork.
• Artists will be provided a 48-count box of professional pastel chalk. Artists may bring additional chalk if they desire. (This is recommended if your piece involves heavy use of one or more colors.)
• Additional chalk may be available at the registration area.
• Artists may not use stencils in the creation of their chalk art works.
• You may bring your own additional chalk, but it must be non-oil based soft chalk/pastels in solid form.
• No spray chalk or marking chalk may be used. Since pieces will be judged, this keeps the competition fair.
• All chalk must be water-based. No paint, crayon, ink, fixatives, or other permanent products may be applied to the pavement.
• The art must be suitable for public and family viewing. No nudity, political statements, commercial advertisement or inappropriate content are allowed. Quad City Arts reserves the right to make this judgment at any point in the process.
• Chalk artists at the festival are not paid and there is no reimbursement for travel or lodging.
• Respect your fellow artists! Do not walk on their art or have open beverage containers that might spill. Keep your supplies contained in your space. Help your fellow artists by sharing or trading chalk. And take the time to chat...you might make a new friend!
• No boom boxes or loud music, please. Quiet music from a phone or other portable source is acceptable but must remain family-friendly and suitable for public listening. Quad City Arts reserves the right to ask artists to turn down (or turn off) their music. 
• Canopy tents are not allowed as they obscure the artist’s work. A hand-held umbrella, patio umbrella or beach umbrella is allowed if secured in a heavy base. The artist(s) assumes liability if the umbrella is not properly weighted.   
• With the exception of inclement weather, artwork must remain uncovered during Festival hours both days of the event to allow for guests to enjoy the art and opportunity to vote for people’s choice.
• Artists' appearance and clothing should be suitable for a family-friendly, public gathering.
• Onlookers are an important part of this public festival. Please interact with the public, when possible! 
• While you provide the artwork, our sponsors provide the financial support that makes the festival possible. As a sign of appreciation to our sponsors, a sponsor's name may appear near your chalk art area. You may enhance it by drawing a frame around it. However, it must always remain clearly visible, unobstructed, and clean throughout the length of the festival. If you are introduced to a sponsor or sponsor's representative, please thank them for their generous support!
• The event will go on rain or shine. Artists are responsible for protecting their art in the event of inclement weather. Plastic drop cloth, tape, tarp, and heavy instruments to weigh down your covering may be used as needed.

** Quad City Arts will not provide tarp, tape, or any other protective materials for your artwork in the event of inclement weather. **
 
We thank you for your participation and hard work! If you have any questions, please contact us. We look forward to a fantastic festival this year and many more to come! 

​SUGGESTED SUPPLIES TO BRING

• Sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrellas or a hat! Remember that you may be out in the sun for many hours each day.
• Drinking water. Stay hydrated!
• Whisk broom or brush for cleaning the drawing surface.
• A piece of heavy fabric, carpet square or cardboard to sit or stand on to avoid smearing your work.
• A soft towel, gardener’s pad, or knee pads to kneel on.
• A chalkboard eraser, foam, terry cloth or short-cut brushes for blending larger areas of color.
• Water and a cloth or sponge to erase unwanted parts of your design.
• Old towels or rags to clean up as necessary.
• Additional chalk, if you need a lot of a certain color. A 48-count box of BLICK Pastel Chalk is provided. Additional chalk may be available at registration but is not guaranteed.
• Gloves to protect your hands.

TIPS & TRICKS

• Don’t underestimate the power of the sun. Wear sunscreen, hats, and other items that can protect your skin, and drink plenty of water!
• Most artists start by outlining their entire drawing, then coloring it in with the pastel chalks. We recommend using the grid method. If you’re curious about how this works, feel free to contact us.
• Stand up and away from your drawing frequently to see it from a different perspective and check your progress.
• Take care of your hands! Try not to blend chalk with your fingers too much. Wearing latex or cotton gloves helps. We recommend using a rag, chalkboard erasers, brushes or foam noodles to help blend colors.
• Registration is free, artists need only provide their time, enthusiasm and talents!
• Artists will be assigned an 8’ X 10’ square space on a first come first serve basis. 
• Youth category will be assigned an 6’ x 6’ square space on a first come first serve basis. 
• Artists will have the opportunity to compete for over $1,800 in cash prizes.
• Use the Artist Cooling Tent as needed (water will be provided in the designated area).
• One complimentary 48-ct box of pastel chalk will be provided per individual/team and a free festival t-shirt for each team member.

JUDGING 

• Judging will take place from 3:00pm-4:30pm on Sunday, June 23rd.
• Judges decisions are final and will be presented at 4:30pm or shortly thereafter
• Judging will be scored based on the following categories:
• Overall Presentation: (form, line, composition, visual effect)
• Creativity: (expression in design, thoughtful execution)
• Use of Color: (Saturation, Shading, Highlights – use of black/white is still considered color)
• Technique: (skill in use of material / degree of difficulty)

Registration CLOSED

​Registration will re-open in April 2025

SUPPORT THE ARTS THROUGH SPONSORSHIP

Quad City Arts' events would not be possible without the support of our many generous sponsors. Whether it is an in-kind sponsorship of goods or services, or a cash sponsorship towards an event or attraction, the opportunities are nearly endless. Contact us to learn more!

Ben Gougeon

Events Coordinator
309.793.1213 ext. 100

Email