PLEASE NOTE: PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED by July 22, 2025 to be eligible for prizes. There will be a very limited number of open spaces available the day of the contest.  Spaces forfeited by no-shows will be available at 10am the morning of the contest and will be eligible for prizes.

There is a contest rain date of Sunday, July 27, 2025.

Artists are responsible for their own supplies and chalk.

For more information, please contact the Sounds & Sights Chalk Art Committee Head –  Brenda Fineman at brenda@geekbrushstudio.com or call 734-475-1145.

Read the Rules & Complete the Form Below to Register:

Event Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025  |  8am – 4pm

Rain Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025

Artists: 5’x5′ Spaces can be created by one or more artists (limit 4).  | Free Children 2.5’x2.5′ spaces must be created by 1 artist (0-12 yrs. old).

Material Restrictions: Participants may bring their own chalk, brushes or water. All chalk must be water-based. Water based chalk paints are permissible. ONLY artist made templates are permissible.

Space Assignment:  Artists will pick their own 5’x5’ spaces on a first-come, first-serve basis during check-in.  At check-in, artists will be asked to provide the number of the space they wish to work in. Some spaces may have cracks or texture variations. All Children spaces are 2.5’x2.5’.

Check-In and Registration: Check-in will begin at 7 a.m.  Artists may prep their spaces as early as 7a.m. but cannot begin chalking until 8am. Any artist failing to check-in by 10am will forfeit their space.

Prizes: Award winners must be present to claim his/her prize at 4:15 p.m.

Additional Rules:

• Drawings must remain within the designated square area. Drawings on buildings, trees, or any other surface are strictly prohibited.
• ONLY artist made templates are permissible.
• This is a family event. Artwork containing nudity, profanity, or content deemed inappropriate by the festival committee will be removed and the artist will be disqualified from the contest.
• If an artist promotes that any prize money will be donated to a non-profit or special cause, the prize check will be made out to promoted non-profit or cause.
• The use of flammable or offensive odors may not be used.

Failure to comply by these rules or guidelines may be grounds for dismissal.

Things You Can Bring:

• Blankets or chair, knee pads to stay comfy while you draw
• Sunscreen and hat
• Sketches or inspiration pieces to guide your chalk design
• Plastic to cover artwork during possible rain
• Water and snacks

Tips

• Use chalk sparingly. Build up your layers, starting with a very light layer on the bottom.
• Some artist prefer to lay all of their undertones first. Some prefer to work top to bottom. We recommend outlining all of your major elements first.
• A big chalkboard eraser works great for laying down large areas of color. Moving the eraser in a circular motion works best.
• Creating a chalk-paint by crushing chalk into water and using a paint brush is also helpful when filling large areas.
• If you’re a first-timer, consider using one object as the focal point of your artwork – a face, a frog, etc. Small details are difficult to manage on a rough surface — so think BIG & DRAMATIC.
• The more you work with chalk on concrete, the more comfortable you will become. So practice on the driveway at home.