A final call is going out for artists who would like to participate in Salem’s first Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest next Saturday, August 12th.
One of the organizers is Michelle Barbee who hopes to make the event an annual one. She says they are looking for artists of all ages to complete their art on the city parking lot in the 200 block of West McMackin Street from eight am to five pm with the awards ceremony at six pm.
“We have youth teams, so anybody under the age of 16 can put a team together and can compete that way. Or if you are an adult, age 17 or older, you will compete by yourself. What we are looking for is people to come out, they will be assigned a sidewalk canvas that they will have 8 hours to do their artwork on. Then at the end of the day we have judges come through and look at composition, use of color and topics they’ve chosen…judge those and give out cash prizes.”
Adults will work with five by seven foot sidewalk canvases and youth a 4 by 4 canvas.
Barbee says there will be over $500 in prizes.
“We have cash prizes for both categories. We will do prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each age group. Also cash prizes for best 3D art, best use of color and best reproduction of a famous art piece.”
Entries can be made on the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest web page on the Historic Farmer’s Market web page, historicsalemil.org. The event will also feature food trucks and live music. Those with questions can contact Barbee at 618-292-3808. Friday is the deadline for entries.
