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 10th year, Quad Cities Chalk Art Fest will take place May 30 - 31, 2026 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. Awards will be presented on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
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 $2,000 in cash prizes will be awarded including a people’s choice and youth category award.
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.
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 $2,000 in cash prizes will be awarded including a people’s choice and youth category award.
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.
2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SatURDAY, May 309:00 am - Early check-in and start time for artists
10 am -7 pm - Event Open to the Public 11 am -12:45 pm - DJ Shane Brown 🎵 1:15 - 2:45 pm - Frankie Jo & Kinfolk 🎵 3:15-4:45 pm - Jerm Theory 🎵 5:15-7:00 pm Jenny Lynn Stacy Band 🎵 SUNDAY, May 319:00 am - Early check-in and start time for artists
10 am -5 pm - Event Open to the Public 11:00-11:40 am - Voices by Share 🎵 12:00 - 1:45 pm - QC Rock Academy 🎵 2:15 - 4:00 pm - The Textures 🎵 4:30 pm - Awards Presented |
FOOD TRUCKS, SWEET TREATS & LIBATIONS
Kids Activities (both days)
|
LocationSchwiebert 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 & AWARDSJudging will take place at 3 pm. Awards will be at 4:30 pm on Sunday, May 31.
(Works must be completed by 3pm on May 31 to be eligible for judging.) Best in Show Awards
Category Awards
Youth Awards
|
Visiting Artist: Katie Bush (San Diego Chalk Artist)
As part of our 10th Annual Chalk Art Fest, San Diego Chalk Artist Katie Bush will offer a 3-D Chalk Art workshop at Quad City Arts.
For just $20, participants will learn both basic chalk art technique as well as 3-D art techniques to make their chalk creations come to life!
Workshop participants will meet at Quad City Arts at 6:00pm and then move outside to take their technique to the concrete!
Each participant will receive a FREE 24 count of BLICK Studio Pastels, though participants may bring additional chalk if they choose.
Space is limited, and registration is required. Sign up TODAY through Jotform.
For just $20, participants will learn both basic chalk art technique as well as 3-D art techniques to make their chalk creations come to life!
Workshop participants will meet at Quad City Arts at 6:00pm and then move outside to take their technique to the concrete!
Each participant will receive a FREE 24 count of BLICK Studio Pastels, though participants may bring additional chalk if they choose.
Space is limited, and registration is required. Sign up TODAY through Jotform.
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.
For any questions, please contact Ben Gougeon at [email protected] or (309) 793-1213 ext. 100
2025 WINNERS
First Place: #34 - Sydney Scott
|
Second Place: # 81 - Katelyn Morris
|
Third Place: #69 - Rebecca & Andy Quick
|
People’s Choice & Youth Second Place: #Y17 - Monica Speece
|
Artist’s Choice: #90 - Staci Clancy
|
Youth First Place & Best Reproduction: #Y8 - Autumn Zaehringer
|
Best Reproduction: #Y3- Seren Sharpe
|
Youth Third Place: #Y11 - Alex VandeWalle
|
Honorable Mention: #55 - Anna Duncan, Justin Duncan, Sonya Kleinkopf
|
Honorable Mention: #62 - Shayla Ray Afflerbaugh
|
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!
|
