Get ready for the 25th annual Chalk Festival on September 19 and 20!

Every year since 1990, the Cleveland Museum of Art has held this spectacular event. Artists at any age can go and show their talent on the sidewalks in the Fine Arts Garden just outside of the museum along University Circle.

People can enjoy the entertainment on the terrace and watch others create their artwork at no cost. However, you can show your own work by purchasing a large or small square for $16 or $8 which includes materials.

Participants have the option of attending workshops for the festival for $35. This includes learning how to make your own chalk, developing professional techniques, and getting a square reserved for your work during the festival.

Last year some of Gail McClelland’s Advanced Art 2 students went to the chalk festival together to share their artwork. McClelland said, “I like that it is a venue for people to go and create art, just for the sake of creating art. It is impermanent and washes away in the first rain so it’s more about creativity and less about finished product.”

Senior Callie Fikaris attend the Chalk Festival last year. She said, “It’s a great community thing to be a part of. You get to see all the featured artists do beautiful work and you get to do your work right next to them.”

Each year, there are a set of artists who are featured at this event.

People who attend this event can also take advantage of the beautiful location and walk to nearby Little Italy or explore Uptown Cleveland.

For more information about this wondrous event visit the Cleveland Museum of Art website.

Dennis Mastrangelo