Saturday, August 8, saw Volume One’s Chalkfest 2009 (part of downtown Eau Claire’s Summerfest event). This year’s Chalkfest brought 75 artists to Eau Claire’s Wilson Park for a firestorm of creativity – 56 panels of sidewalk became concrete canvases for the artists, most of whom were locals. Juried awards were given for Best Youth Individual, Best Youth Group, Best Adult Individual, Best Adult Group, and Audience Choice. This year’s event weathered a number of storms and rainfalls, but the park was packed all day long with people viewing the art and enjoying the side activities, food, music, and fun.

These photos were taken during and after the rain came (in the late afternoon). You can see artists struggling to touch-up their work beneath moisture riddled plastic and puddles of water. Judges were called in early to check out the artwork before it got too ruined. This year’s “Nightlight Reception” awards ceremony was cancelled and replaced with a brief ceremony earlier in the evening.

Photos by Frank H. Robinson