Chalkfest
Save the Date | July 27, 2024
Chalkfest is a day-long firestorm of creativity and positive community energy, culminating in over a quarter mile of sidewalk space displaying amazing chalk artwork! Created by Volume One, this event is hosted on the beautiful UW-Eau Claire campus along the Chippewa River. Chalkfest is one of the most highly anticipated events of the summer and it's a free urban art festival with tons of family-friendly fun!
New this year: We will be hosting an Artists Market during Chalkfest. Here is a sneak peek of the vendors we will be welcoming:
Better Off Studios
Chrissy's Creations
Fetching Feldy's LLC
H.A Crafting Boutique
Swearingen Candle Co.
LameMaker
Lark by the Lake Pottery
Sculp3d Endeavors
Quiltz N Thingz
Your Geek Partners
Events Schedule
Saturday, July 27
7am-10am: Artist check-in and artwork begins
11am-7pm: Art is open to the public. Food vendors and activities will be on the campus mall.
11am- 5pm: Audience Choice voting
3pm-5pm: Judging
5:30pm: Live announcement of winners on the campus mall
7pm: Event Conclusion
If there is rain/inclement weather, we will move the entire festival to Sunday, July 28.
Artists
Join us as an artist!
Chalk Artist Registration opens May 1, 2024 at 9am here!
Day of Registration
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- $20 | Square only (various sizes)
- $35 | Square + Chalk (48 Piece Koss International Artists soft pastels)
- Artists must be at least 12 years old to participate. Younger artists can join us in our free Family Area.
What’s included
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- One Chalkfest branded cooling towel
- One (1) sponge for blending
- One (1) set of latex gloves (small, medium or large available)
Specific Sidewalk Square Sizes
During the registration process, the squares are listed as numbers only. This document includes the exact sizes of each square by corresponding number.
Chalk Artist Details
Check-in
Saturday from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m. at the check-in Tent. We’ll provide registration materials and show you your assigned space.
You may not check in or begin chalking before 7 a.m. This is to ensure all artists are judged fairly.
General suggestions
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- Be Ready | Completing a drawing can be physically challenging depending on the complexity and size. Be ready to work hard and consider using friends as help!
- Protect Yourself | Wear a hat and sunblock to prevent sunburn.
- Focus on comfort | Knee pads are strongly recommended, and old pillows or other comfort devices are also encouraged. Perhaps a folding yard chair. The grass around the chalking area is hilly, so please not that when planning.
- Consider Extra Chalk | Pastels will be provided for those who choose the $30 square, however if you are using a predominant color in your design you may want to purchase that color before the festival. Some swapping of colors with other artists may be possible. Additionally, we will have some pastels available for sale on site (cash only).
Rules + guidelines
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- Artists must be at least twelve (12) years old to participate. A parent or guardian must be present with those under 18 years old.
- Artwork must be appropriate for public viewing. Nudes, advertising or overt political statements are not allowed.
- Oil pastels are not allowed.
- Artists must stay within space provided, though the whole space does not have to be used.
- Non-compliance with these rules may result in removal from the festival.
- Chalkfest organizers may use photos or reproductions of your artwork for future advertising and media purposes.
We will have an artists lounge located in Centennial Hall for you to take a break from the sun. Refreshments will be provided at no cost.
Weather/Rain Plan
In case of severe weather, the festival will be moved to Sunday, July 28. Artists registration will be moved to that day instead of Saturday, July 27. Schedule events will stay the same and judging will take place. Refunds will not be available due to costs incurred by Chalkfest.
It is the artist's responsibility to bring materials to cover their drawings and to weigh down the materials so they don't blow away.
Artist FAQs
How do I register to draw?
Registration is open. Check here for updates. Registration closes Tuesday, July 23.
Registration goes up $10 ($45 with chalk, $30 without chalk) on day of.
How much is registration?
Registration fees for 2024 are: $35 which includes a concrete square, 48 box of colored chalk, 1-chalkfest branded cooling towel, 1 pair of gloves &
blending sponge or $20 for just the concrete square and cooling towel.
Where can I park?
Parking is available behind the Davies Student Center and Hibbard Hall. Click here for further parking and transportation details
When will judging begin?
3pm – 4:30pm Judging
11am-5pm Audience Favorite voting
5:30pm Announcement of Winners
Can I bring a tent for shade?
Yes! However, to ensure there is no damage to our campus mall, we ask everyone either uses sandbags or small weights for tent stabilization. No stakes please!
Where are the restrooms?
Closest bathrooms to artists and attendees the day of Chalkfest will be inside Centennial Hall.
What about bad weather?
In the instance of bad weather on Saturday, July 27, we will postpone the event to Sunday, July 28. If weather is bad on Sunday, we will not hold the event. No refunds will be given. Event schedule on Sunday would mirror the event schedule from Saturday.
We will plan to make the rain call 24-48 hours in advance of Saturday, July 28.
Available for purchase at Chalkfest
Artist Supply Pricing (quantities limited)
Extra Pastels - 50¢
Extra Sponges - 50¢
Extra Gloves - 50¢
3 Black & 3 White Sets - $3
6 Black Set - $3
12 Pastel Set - $7
24 Pastel Set - $10
48 Pastel Set - $16
Public
Amazing Art
The UW-Eau Claire campus is covered with several large sidewalks where registered artists of all ages from throughout the community will create elaborate, large-scale chalk artwork. Throughout the day, artists will create their work as thousands of visitors watch their drawings come to life. Participants are encouraged to pre-register to reserve a spot.
Volunteer
Interested in volunteering at Chalkfest?
It's an awesome way to get involved with a fun, community event and check out some great local art! We have shifts from 7am-6pm and they vary from registration tent help to chalk sales assistant to handing out programs.
Engaging Musical Performances
The CollECtive Choir
The CollECtive Choir
The CollECtive choir, est. February 2015, brings Hip Hop and Urban Gospel into the Eau Claire sound pool, and seeks to 'CollECtively proclaim Jesus through exuberant praise.' This non profit multi-church missional music community is under the direction of Michael Rambo, and is open to the public, holding rehearsals on Monday nights in downtown Eau Claire.
The Nunnery
The Nunnery
The Nunnery begins with one voice, layered upon itself becoming a lush soundscape.
Sarah Elstran is an independent musician that bridges the gap between bright-eyed pop composition and hands-on atmospheric live layering of voice. Her vocal loops give us the kind of detail and wide multi-octave range that we might come to expect from a marquee pop star, while her production decisions continually keep us guessing as to what rabbit holes her tracks might fall into next.
Nick Anderson & The Skinny Lovers
Nick Anderson & The Skinny Lovers
From Eau Claire, WI, NASL has made a significant impact in the rock music scene, earning the title of "Best Rock Band That Isn't Bon Iver" by local fans. Their music has topped independent radio charts, reaching No. 1 and No. 8, and has been licensed by MTV, E!TV, Netflix, and the Discovery Channel. On Spotify, NASL has been featured on editorial and algorithmic playlists, garnering over 400,000 streams.
NASL's live performances include playing at Summerfest in the Emerging Artist Series and a sold-out show during their East Coast tour with Sofar Sounds. They have opened for notable acts like Jordan Davis and Sam Llanas. With their unique blend of rock and captivating live shows, NASL continues to grow their fanbase and make a name for themselves beyond Eau Claire's famous son, Bon Iver.
Fantastic Food & Drinks
We feature some of the best food, snacks and drinks in the Chippewa Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Before you come
What time does Chalkfest start and end?
Chalkfest is open to the public at 11 a.m. and activities end around 7 p.m.
Where is Chalkfest held?
Chalkfest is held on the UW-Eau Claire lower campus mall.
Where can I park?
Parking is available free and readily available in the Hibbard or Phillips Lot and across the footbridge at the Water Street or Haas Fine Arts Lots. Click here for a campus map. Additional parking can be found on the street.
Family Fun & Live Music presented by S.C. Swiderski & TDS Fiber
Thank you to the sponsors who make Chalkfest an amazing community event!
Become a sponsor
Chalkfest attracts thousands of people from the Chippewa Valley and beyond, and is covered widely in local and regional media. Sponsors are recognized through extensive local advertising, on social media and at the event. Contact us to learn more about joining us as a sponsor!