From staff reports
Chalk It Up!, an immersive two-day festival featuring live music by local musicians, hands-on activities, food trucks, and large-scale street chalk painting will be held in downtown Beaufort in March of 2024.
This distinctively creative event, being organized by the Freedman Arts District, combines community engagement and art appreciation into one free fun-filled weekend, March 23 and 24, 2024.
Inspired by the tremendous popularity of chalk festivals around the country, festival organizers are gathering together 63 artists near and far to create huge colorful chalk illustrations directly on the pavement of a neighborhood parking lot.
Three uber-talented professional chalk artists will be coming to Beaufort to participate as the event’s featured artists. Erik Greenawalt is coming from Pittsburgh, Lisa Gaither from Raleigh, and Chelsey Austin Scott from Atlanta.
Known as “street painters,” these artists are masters of the art form, and travel all over the country transforming ordinary pavement into amazing chalk art right before your eyes.
Call for artists
Artists (18 or older) interested in participating should complete the online application on www.FreedmanArtsDistrict.org. The deadline for applying is Feb. 1, 2024, and the number of artist slots is limited.
Artist participation is free, and no street painting experience is required for emerging artists. A full set of guidelines and rules can be found on www.FreedmanArtsDistrict.org.
The Chalk it Up! festival will conclude with an awards ceremony at 5 p.m., Sunday, March 24. Three prizes will be awarded – First Place $500; Second Place $300; and People’s Choice $200.
