Since its inception 12 years ago, Chalkfest has been a celebration of creativity spread across concrete canvases – first at downtown Eau Claire’s Wilson Park, and more recently on the UW-Eau Claire campus. Last summer alone, the celebration drew nearly 200 participants and thousands of visitors who enjoyed complex and creative chalk art creations on a sunny July day.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, for 2020 the event’s sponsors have decided that Chalkfest is uniquely suited to pivot into an amazing and inclusive (and temporary) virtual event. This year, instead of gathering in one place at one time, participating artists may safely create their chalk art wherever they want. They can take as much time as they need between now and Friday, June 12, and they can simply snap photos and roll video as they go to virtually share what they’re creating with the community.

Chalkfest 2020 will be co-presented by Markquart Toyota with additional support from Festival Foods, jamf, Prevea Health, Pablo Center at the Confluence, and Xcel Energy. All proceeds from community chalk art registrations will go to Together Chippewa Valley, a pandemic response fund supporting 20 local nonprofit organizations and led by the Pablo Center at the Confluence.

Here’s how it works: The artist registration cost is just $5, with proceeds going to Together Chippewa Valley. Entrants – who can order any needed supplies through the registration link below – have until Friday, June 12, to create their art. Throughout the event, Chalkfest and Volume One social media pages will share videos and photos of art in progress for the community to enjoy and comment on. By June 12, artists must submit final photos to the online gallery. On Friday, June 19, that gallery will go live, and members of the online audience will be able to vote for their favorites in various categories through Wednesday, July 1. Winners will be announced Tuesday, July 7, and they will receive Local Store gift cards as prizes.

Commemorative Chalkfest 2020 T-shirt will also be available for just $22. They can be ordered now for shipping or can be picked up after winners are announced in July.

Learn all the details at the official Chalkfest 2020 website or visit the registration link to register as an artist, order supplies, or buy a T-shirt.