CHALKFEST – RULES 

 

  • All artists must be registered to participate. Payment must accompany registration. Artist squares will be assigned at registration.
  • Chalk art only to be produced in designated and assigned areas.
  • Chalk art must only include chalk. Any non-chalk props or items will exclude art from being judged.
  • The art created must be suitable for public and family viewing (no nude or lewd work). No words or symbols may appear within the art.
  • Chalk art depicting or intended as an advertisement for a business, product or service are not allowed. Only sponsors are allowed to depict their logo. Contact info@publicartreston725381042.wpcomstaging.com for information about sponsorship opportunities.
  • ChalkFest Committee reserves the right to refuse, stop or eliminate objectionable material. The ChalkFest committee’s opinion will be final. If artists have questions about their art, it is recommended that artists produce a paper copy of their art for approval prior to the event.
  • If you are reproducing an image originally created by another artist (living or deceased), it is important to credit the original artist and the title.
  • Please sign your art when finished.
  • Artists should be aware that judging begins around 3:30 pm on Saturday.
  • Prize winners will be announced around 5:30 pm on Saturday.
  • Please respect the other artists who are working near you. Do not walk on their drawings or have open beverage containers that could spill and destroy someone’s artwork.
  • Since people will be walking around your square, please try to keep your supplies well contained.
  • Artists are responsible for protecting their chalk art should it rain during the event. Plastic drapes, tape, etc., can be used as needed.
  • Public Art Reston will use photographs to record the event, artist designs and artists.
  • No boom boxes allowed. You may wear portable headsets.
  • All pets must be on leashes.
  • Child under 12 must be the lead artist for families participating in the Families & Kids category
  • ChalkFest at Reston Town Center is a SMOKE FREE event.
  • ChalkFest at Reston Town Center Volunteers will be around to assist you. 

 

SUGGESTED SUPPLIES 

  • Public Art Reston will provide one box of chalk to start for all categories registered.
  • If you need additional colors, you may “swap” with other street artists as well.
  • You may also supply your own pastel chalk, especially if you are using unusual colors, but it MUST be water-based.
  • Only CHALK can be used for drawings. NO paint, crayon, ink or other non-washable or permanent products.
  • No fixatives may be used on the chalk drawings.
  • Wisk broom or brushes for cleaning the drawing surface before you start. Do not blow dust particles.
  • Umbrellas, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, etc. to guard against the hot sun.
  • Refreshments. Keep open beverage containers away from paintings. (NO glass allowed)
  • Plastic (if desired) to cover your artwork.
  • Water and a cloth or sponge to erase unwanted parts of your design.
  • Old towels or rags to clean up as necessary.
  • Straight edge, masking tape or “snap” tool for creating sharp borders or geometry.
  • A 2ʼ x 2ʼ piece of heavy fabric, carpet square or cardboard to sit or stand on to avoid smearing your work.
  • A pillow, gardeners pad, knee pads or yoga mat to kneel on.
  • A chalkboard eraser, foam, terry cloth or short-cut brushes for blending larger areas of color.
  • Cotton gloves to protect your hands. Latex gloves to protect your fingertips and assist in blending colors.
  • Camera to take photos of your creation!

  

ARTIST TIPS  

The following tips are suggestions to help you:  

  • If reproducing an image originally created by another artist (living or deceased), it is important to credit the original artist and the title at the base of your drawing.
  • Make color photocopy of the artwork or bring the photo. Make several copies if more than one artist will be working on the piece.
  • If you want your proportions to be correct, you might consider drawing a grid over the photocopies using a ruler and thin marker. You can lay out a corresponding grid on the asphalt. An example is half-inch squares on the picture to 6-inch squares on the asphalt. Mount photocopies on cardboard to make them easier to work with. A carpenter’s chalk line is ideal for this.
  • Use chalk sparingly. Build up your layers, starting with a very light layer on the bottom. Some artists prefer to lay all of their base layer first. Some prefer to work top to bottom. We recommend outlining all of your major elements first.
  • Fill in the details of the image using various shades of colored chalk. Continue to blend colors to gain the right effect. Leave some chalk color unblended on the surface of the concrete to bring out colors, highlights and details.
  • A big chalkboard eraser works great for laying down large areas of color. Moving the eraser in a circular motion works best.
  • Do not blow or fan excess chalk into the air. It will dull your colors, and chalk dust is not good to breathe.
  • To get intense color, apply the chalk more than once (the first time fills in cracks and crevices) and bear down hard. The second time is to let the chalk powder rest on the top of the bumps. Then donʼt touch it anymore!
  • First-timers should consider using one object as the focal point of your artwork – a face, a frog, etc. Small details are difficult to manage on a rough surface — so think BIG & DRAMATIC.
  • The more you work with chalk on concrete, the more comfortable you will become. So practice on the driveway at home. 

 

JUDGING CRITERIA 

  • Originality- Exhibits creativity
  • Craftsmanship- Artist’s skill in the use of material
  • Composition- Effective use of forms or abstract techniques
  • Use of space- Perspective and mass
  • Presentation- Appearance/finishing and overall impression
  • Degree of Difficulty- Appropriate for skill level of artist entry 

 

IN CASE OF RAIN OR SEVERE STORM

ChalkFest at Reston Town Center’s rain date is Sunday, September 15, 2019.

Should the event need to be rescheduled in case of rain or severe storm on Saturday, September 14, an announcement will be posted on www.publicartreston.org homepage at 6:00 am. Public Art Reston will not be able to refund participants who have registered online if they cannot participate on Sunday, September 15, 2019.