The Arizona Republic

ART walk

Street artists get creative for Chalk It Up! Prescott

- ALISON STANTON

Do you miss the days you drew chalk creations outside? Wax nostalgic no more, as about 5,000 people descend on Prescott this weekend for a two-day festival celebratin­g the colorful artwork.

Organizers plan to give away 1,300 boxes of free chalk to those who want to loose their

Imagine thousands of people of all ages sitting on the ground together and creating colorful works of chalk art alongside profession­al street painters.

That’s what will happen during the ninth annual Chalk It Up! Prescott event this weekend.

Meredith Brown, lead organizer of the festival, said there will be hundreds of 2-by-2-foot and 4by-6-foot spaces marked off where visitors can create their chalk art.

People may bring their own chalk or use the free provided supplies, Brown said.

“We expect about 5,000 to attend, and anticipate handing out over 1,300 boxes of free chalk to anyone who wants to create an art piece during the two-day festival,” she said.

“We do provide chalk tiles for those who may not be able to get down on the ground, so individual­s of all ages and abilities are welcome at this event.”

Two featured artists and 11 guest artists will create beautiful works of art during the event.

“Each of them will receive a larger chalk space to fill with their talent and creative ideas,” Brown said.

While kids and adults are busy drawing, they can enjoy being entertaine­d by musicians and dancers.

“This is absolutely an all-ages event. It’s fantastic for families, and participan­ts of all ages can win ‘On the Spot’ artist awards for their work,” she said.

Brown, who also is the developmen­t assistant for the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic Foundation, said the organizati­on hosts the popular festival every year, with the proceeds helping fund the community’s mentalheal­th priorities.

 ?? ANNIE VALIANDO ?? Want to take part in Chalk It Up! Prescott? Bring your own chalk, or use the free chalk that's provided.
ANNIE VALIANDO Want to take part in Chalk It Up! Prescott? Bring your own chalk, or use the free chalk that's provided.
 ?? CHAD CASTIGLIAN­O/CHRONICKER PHOTOGRAPH­Y ?? At Chalk It Up! Prescott, participan­ts get to create chalk art in designated 2-by-2-foot squares in a bank parking lot.
CHAD CASTIGLIAN­O/CHRONICKER PHOTOGRAPH­Y At Chalk It Up! Prescott, participan­ts get to create chalk art in designated 2-by-2-foot squares in a bank parking lot.
 ?? CLARK WHITE ?? Costumed dancers were among the entertaine­rs at the festival in 2016.
CLARK WHITE Costumed dancers were among the entertaine­rs at the festival in 2016.
 ?? CLARK WHITE ?? Folks of all ages created chalk art at a bank parking lot during the 2016 Chalk It Up! Prescott festival.
CLARK WHITE Folks of all ages created chalk art at a bank parking lot during the 2016 Chalk It Up! Prescott festival.
 ?? CLARK WHITE ?? A performer made up to look like a statue was part of the entertainm­ent at last year’s festival in Prescott.
CLARK WHITE A performer made up to look like a statue was part of the entertainm­ent at last year’s festival in Prescott.
 ?? CLARK WHITE ?? Chalk It Up! Prescott has no age limit for participan­ts.
CLARK WHITE Chalk It Up! Prescott has no age limit for participan­ts.
 ?? CLARK WHITE ?? Kids activities are part of the fun at Chalk It Up! Prescott.
CLARK WHITE Kids activities are part of the fun at Chalk It Up! Prescott.

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