The 1st Salida Chalk Festival will transform downtown Salida into a giant outdoor gallery of colorful murals as artists create 5’ x 5’ temporary art works of chalk and pastel live during the festival. Like the Madonnari tradition of chalk painting of Italy, artists will create their works on the street. The Salida Chalk Festival is produced by Salida Arts and Culture, and the Salida Creative District in partnership with the Salida Public Arts Commission. The Salida Creative District invites artists within a 150-mile radius to apply to be an artist for the 1st Salida Chalk Festival to be held Saturday, June 29 in historic downtown Salida. This year’s theme is Sweet Home Salida. Selected Interested artists should submit a sketch of the proposed artwork along with a brief description and include (2-3) images of work that shows relevant experience in large scale work such as chalk art or murals. Selected artists receive a set of 24 color pastels, an event "artist" t-shirt, breakfast and lunch, and a $250 stipend. Artists selected by the following criteria: complete application; local artist within 150-mile radius; creative use of theme; sketch adheres to guidelines; past work demonstrates ability to complete 5’ x 5’ piece in one day. Celebration and Awards ceremony at 5:30pm. The Salida Chalk Festival will be held rain or shine.

Deadline to enter: May 10, 2024

When: Saturday, June 29, 9am-5pm Artist workday. Awards Ceremony and celebration at 5:30pm Saturday, June 29

Other Event Information: The Salida Chalk Festival takes place Saturday, June 29, 9:00am to 5:00pm in downtown Salida. The Salida Chalk festival has four categories for entry: Featured artists, Selected artists, Community teams and Youth teams. Community teams, individual and youth teams are open to the public. Registration for Community, Individual and Youth teams opens May 17. Enjoy colorful art, live music and concessions during the Festival. Celebration and Awards ceremony for community, individual, and youth teams such as Judges Choice and People’s Choice at 5:30pm on event day.

Application Requirements

1. Interested artists should submit a sketch/image and brief description of their proposed chalk drawing. Please submit one image of the art you wish to create along with a brief description and two to three images of your prior artwork in any medium.

2.  Artists must produce the artwork submitted or get written approval to change their design. 

3. Artwork for the festival are for public viewing. No words, symbols, logos, or advertising within the chalk drawing. Official sponsor logos only.

4. The Salida Chalk Festival provides (1) set of 24 soft pastels to selected artists. Artist needs to supply additional chalk and colors needed for design. (If you have a predominant color in your design you will need to purchase that color before the festival.) Only non-oil-based soft chalk/pastels in a solid form may be used for the street painting. No acrylic paints, spray can pastels, oil-based pastels, hard pastels, etc. allowed.

5. The square size is 5'x 5’.

6. Breakfast and lunch provided for selected artists. All artists are invited to attend the awards and celebration for community.

7. Artists are required to work on their chalk drawings Saturday of the festival.  

8. Selected artists must be at least 18 years old. Registration for community and youth teams opens May 17.

9. Deadline to enter is May 10, 2024. We will let you know the jury results by May 15, 2024.

10. Free training workshop for community provided before the festival. Stay tuned for details.

11. The Salida Chalk Festival will be held rain or shine.

Eligibility Criteria

• Artists within a 150-mile radius can apply;
• Must be at least 18 years old*;
• Will need to submit a sketch of the proposed artwork along with a brief description and include (2-3) images of work that shows relevant experience in large scale work such as chalk art or murals.

*Community and youth teams are open to the public. Registration for Community and Youth teams opens May 17.