​Saturday, June 24: 10 am – 7 pm
Sunday, June 25: 10 am – 5 pm
Schwiebert Park, Rock Island, IL

presented by Quad City Arts

CHALK ART FEST IS A FREE, TWO-DAY STREET ART FESTIVAL FEATURING LIVE OUTDOOR MUSIC, FOOD & DRINK VENDORS, CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES, AND MORe!

In its’ 7th year, Quad Cities Chalk Art Fest will take place June 24-25, 2023 at Schwiebert Riverfront Park in downtown Rock Island, IL. The festival starts at 10 a.m. both days and goes till 7pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday.

This FREE, live outdoor arts festival brings together hundreds of artists that spend hours transforming the cement pavement at Schwiebert Park into a museum of chalk art, while competing for cash prizes. 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 community piece.

A full line-up of live music, food trucks, concessions, beer garden, face painting and a kid’s chalk zone area, are all part of the festivities. Over $1,800 in cash prizes will be awarded including a people’s choice and youth category award.
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The “paintings” are temporary, lasting only until the next rainfall, so you’ll want to catch a glimpse before they are gone. We invite you to join us for this lively and colorful weekend, celebrating artists coming together to showcase their talents to the community and encouraging creativity in people of all ages and abilities with a unique art form.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SatURDAY, June 24

9:00 am - Early check-in and start time for artists 
10 am -7 pm - Chalk Art Competition 
11 am-1 pm - Band TBD
1-3 pm - Band TBD
3-5 pm - Band TBD
5-7 pm - Band TBD

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

9:00 am - Early check-in and start time for artists 
10 am -5 pm - Chalk Art Competition 
11:30 am - 1:30 pm - Band TBD
1:30 -3:30 pm - Band TBD
4 pm - Awards Presented

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Food trucks (both days)

• Kona Ice
• Bent River Brewery
• Arely’s Food Truck
• ​Westmoreland Concessions
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Kids Activities (both days)

• Face painting
• Bounce house
• Kaleidoscope bus
• Kid’s chalkzone

Location

Schwiebert Riverfront Park
101 17th St, Rock Island, IL 61201

We are thrilled to present this year’s event in the beautiful setting of Schwiebert Riverfront Park in downtown Rock Island, IL, directly across the street from Quad City Arts headquarters and gallery.

Prizes

Judging will take place at 2:30 pm. Awards will be at 4 pm on Sunday, June 25
(Works must be completed by 2:30pm on June 25 to be eligible for judging)
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Overall Awards
1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $300
3rd Place: $250
2 Honorable Mentions: $100 each

People’s Choice: $250 (adult and youth eligible)

Category Awards

• Best Use of Color: $50
• Best 3D: $50
• Best Reproduction: $50​

Youth Awards

• 1st Place: $150 to the artist/team, & $200 in art supplies to the artist’s school
• 2nd Place: $100
• 3rd Place: $50
  
  

*Youth category will have a smaller 6'x6' square and will be judged separately from the other awards.
*At least one team member must be 12 years of age or older by the time of the competition.
​*All team members must be 17 or younger to be eligible for the youth award.

Community Collaboration Piece

For a $5 donation, participants are provided with a set of chalk to fill in a 2’ x 2’ 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!

Artist Registration

Registration is FREE for artists and includes a 48-ct box of professional pastel chalk per team and a festival t-shirt for each team member. If you are a new artist, we request that you upload two samples of your work. Quad City Arts will review submissions for artistic quality and select artists that we believe will provide a quality, family-friendly public art experience. Artists can expect to be notified within one week after submitting their registration.
 
Deadline to register is May 27, 2023. Any artist added after that date will not be guaranteed a t-shirt.

REGISTER & VIEW Rules

​For any questions, please contact Karie Gilson at kgilson@quadcityarts.com or (309) 793-1213 ext. 104​

 SPonsored By

VOLUNTEER AT CHALK ART FEST!

This cool, creative and fun event has numerous volunteer opportunities that include setting up tents, cleaning lunch tables, greeting guests, distributing water to artists, supporting kid’s activities, breakdown and more.  All volunteers receive a FREE festival t-shirt! 
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SIGN UP Today

2022 WINNERS 

1st Place: #38 Mya Diabira & Ruben Shoemaker

Bettendorf, IA

2nd Place: #71 Shakira-a Gbenyo

Milan, IL

3rd place & Best Colour: #42 Maia Glover

Eldridge, IA

People’s Choice Award: #49 Deasia Hickman

Rock Island, IL

Youth 1st Place: #Y8 Camille Wood

Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf, IA

Youth 2nd Place: #Y5 Katelyn Morris

Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf, IA

Best 3D: #46 Donna Blanche

Eldridge, IA

Best Reproduction: #57 Lee Mclain

Davenport, IA

Most Whimsical: #30 Gretchen Caughey

Bettendorf, IA

Honourable Mention: #33 Payton Hayward & Bethany Hofer

Moline, IL

Honourable mention; #51 Savannah & Shawn Shadden

Moline, IL

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!

KARIE GILSON

Development Director
309.793.1213 ext. 104

Email