Sounds and Sights Festival will hold its sixth Chalk Art Contest on Saturday, July 28, 2018. Participants of all abilities and ages are encouraged to help transform the streets of Chelsea into vibrant colors and works of art from 8am until 4pm. Chelsea Area Festivals & Events will award over $1,300 across 11 contest categories.
This year the event theme is based on a quote by Julie Andrews: “Music and the arts make a bridge across this world in ways that nothing else can.”
Spectators will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite artwork in each of the following categories: Best Representation of Theme, Best Art Reproduction, Best Original Piece, Best Use of Color, Best 3D Piece, Best Youth Piece, Best Children’s Piece. Winners will be determined by spectator votes with prizes ranging from $25-$100 dollars. For the top people’s choice award, Best In Show, the winner will receive $325 and the runner up will win $150 dollars. An Artists’ Choice Award of $100 will be selected by registered artists competing in the contest.
“This year, we will have several world-renowned chalk artists creating larger, more complex designs on both Friday and Saturday of the Sounds & Sights Festival,” said Cugliari. The expanded chalk event, which will line both East and West Middle Street, is the result of a mini-grant from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) and The Arts Alliance.
Artists wishing to compete in the Chalk Contest may fill out a registration form at www.chelseafestivals.com/chalk-art. There is a $25 registration fee which includes one 5’x5’ pavement space, a t-shirt and a box of chalk. Each space can be worked on by one to four artists. All registered artists can win in multiple categories.
Children can register for a free 2.5’x2.5’ space and are eligible for a first place $50 prize and a $25 second place prize which will be determined by spectator’s votes.
Pre-Registration is required by July 13, 2018 to be eligible for prizes.
For more information, please contact Chalk Art Coordinator Denise Cugliari at chalkwalk@chelseafestivals.com or call 734-276-4206.