Free Denver Events: Denver Chalk Art Festival 2010

Make your way to La Piazza on Larimer Square on June 5 and 6, 2010 for the 8th annual Denver Chalk Art Festival. Admission is free. View chalk art drawings by professional sidewalk chalk artists, or madonarri, as they are called. The beauty of these drawings will surprise you. Competing madonnari are all award winning artists from around the globe. The drawings will cover a four block area and be judged, with prizes awarded at the end of the competition.

The event will be held Saturday, June 5 from 10 am to 10 pm and Sunday, June 6 from 10 am to 7 pm. The award ceremony takes place Sunday, June 6 at 6 pm.

Chalk Art Festival Photo Contest
In addition to viewing sidewalk chalk art, both amateur and professional photographers can enter a photo contest based on the event. The "Capture the Color" contest seeks the best event related photo. This contest is free to enter. No camera? No problem. You can rent one for free at the Mike's Camera booth at the Chalk Festival. The winner gets two round trip tickets on Southwest Airlines and an Olympus digital camera!

Activities for Kids
Kids Corner at the Denver Chalk Art Festival allows kids to create their own sidewalk art. Who knows, you could inspire the next madonnari. For just a small donation, kids get a bag of chalk and other items to draw with. Parents, be sure to take a picture of your child's masterpiece chalk drawing. Donations benefit the Larimer Arts Association.

For Grown Ups Only
How about a bit of wine with your art? Purchase a wine tasting card good for 4 tastes and a glass of your choice for just $15.00. You can buy wine by the bottle too. More of a beer drinker? No problem. Coors, Coors Light, Blue Moon and Honey Moon Summer Ale are available as well. Plenty of non-alcoholic beverages are available for the younger set or non-drinkers.

Youth Group Contest
The Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is holding the "Youth Challenge". Groups of up to 6 students are encouraged to participate. Each group will create a chalk drawing to represent their group or school. A professional madonnari will hold an instruction class the night before the contest. Water and two meals a day will be provided during the competition. Winners will be awarded hundreds of dollars in art supplies. For application details go here.

Sources:

http://www.larimersquare.com/events/save-the-date-denver-chalk-art-festival-june-5-6/

http://www.denverchalkart.org/festival_info/index.php