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!
7am-10am: Artist check-in and artwork begins, Staff will provide registration materials and show you to your assigned space. You may not check-in or begin chalking before 7am. This is to ensure all artists are judged fairly.
11am-7pm: Art is open to the public. Food vendors and activities will be on the campus mall.
11am-4:30pm: Audience Choice voting
2pm-4pm: Official 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, August 2
Full Chalkfest Event | Saturday, August 1st, 2026 | 11:00am-7:00pm Artist Market | 11:00am-4:00pm
Application Information:
Chalkfest Eau Claire is seeking artists, makers and artisans to exhibit and sell their original works and handmade goods at the annual Chalkfest Eau Claire. Accepted artists will be selected through an internal process. Considerations included but are not limited to creativity, originality, technique, artisanship, and design.
Chalkfest Artist Market Vendor Rules and Regulations:
The application is open to vendors 18 years or older. All works on display must be for sale. No commission is taken for event organizers. All sales are between the vendor and purchaser. Vendors are responsible to collect and pay sales tax on sales made at Chalkfest. All artworks must have been created by the accepted vendor and must be original work.
If ordering chalk, the chalk is a 48 piece Blick Artist Soft Pastels
One (1) sponge for blending
One (1) set of latex gloves (small, medium, large, xl available)
Artist Pin
Check In
Saturday from 7am-10am at the check in tent near Centennial Hall on the UWEC Campus. We will provide registration materials and show you to your assigned space. You may not check in or begin chalking before 7am. This is to ensure all artists are judged fairly.
General Suggestions
Be Ready | Completing a drawing can be physically challenging depending on the complexity and size of your design. Be ready to work hard and consider using friends as help.
Protect Yourself | Wear a hat and sun block to prevent sunburn. A shade tent is allowed, but must be weighted down. No stakes allowed.
Focus on Comfort | Knee pads are strongly recommended. An old pillow or other comfort devises are also encouraged. Perhaps a folding yard chair. The grass around the chalking area is not level, so please note that when planning.
Consider Extra Chalk | Artist Soft Pastels will be provided for those who choose the $35 square + chalk, 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
Artists must be at least 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, through the whole space does not have to be used.
Chalkfest organizers may use photos or reproductions of your artwork for future advertising and media purposes.
Non-compliance with these rules may result in removal from the festival.
Weather/Rain Plan
In case of severe weather, the festival will be moved to Sunday, August 2. Scheduled events will stay the same and judging will still 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 materials so that they don't blow away.
Volunteer
Each year we seek volunteers to assist with set up, registration, chalk sales and tear down. Please check out the available opportunities!
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!
Registration fees for 2026 are: $35 which includes a concrete sidewalk square, 48 box of colored artist soft pastels, 1 pair of gloves and 1 blending sponge or $20 for just the concrete sidewalk square.
Parking is available behind the Davies Student Center and Hibbard Hall. Please note: Zorn Arena demolition will be underway, so please be mindful of construction fencing.
Yes artists can bring a shade tent! However, to ensure there is no damage to our campus mall, we ask everyone to either use sandbags or small weights for stabilization. No stakes, please!
In the instance of bad weather on Saturday, Aug. 1, we will postpone the event to Sunday, Aug. 2. If weather is bad on Sunday, we will not hold the event. No refunds will be given. Event schedule on Sunday will mirror the event schedule from Saturday.
We will plan to make the weather call 24-48 hours in advance of Saturday, August 1.
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University Centers/Davies Student Center
Davies Student Center 77 Roosevelt Avenue Eau Claire, WI54701 United States
