"Picture this: A creative drawing contest this summer at Amarillo College that will temporarily transform the Oeschger Family Mall into a multicolored museum of chalk art.
The inaugural Chalk It Up sidewalk art contest is slated for Saturday, July 29 at Amarillo College. It is an event sure to draw plenty of artists and onlookers to the welcoming atmosphere of AC’s Washington Street Campus.
“Sidewalk art events like this are springing up all over the country, and Amarillo College is a perfect fit for one,” said Kevin Ball, vice president of communications and marketing. “Our pretty campus is a wonderfully comfortable place to spend time, especially during the summer, and our community abounds with talented artists. This gives them a chance to create in front of an enthusiastic audience and possibly win some nice prizes.
“We’re trending to the art world,” he said, “and we anticipate having a really fun inaugural sidewalk art event.”
Registration is free and open to individuals or teams of up to four people. Competitors are responsible for providing both their own washable materials and a preview sketch of their proposed design.
The competition is from 8 a.m. to noon and will be followed by a ceremony to announce the winners.
A panel of judges representing the local art community, with a bit of help from the spectators, will be charged with determining the winners and awarding the prizes – $500 for first place, $250 for second, $100 for third, and $50 for Fan Favorite.
“We are so pleased to have this opportunity to celebrate our local arts community, which has forever been supportive of the College,” said Victoria Taylor-Gore, dean of AC’s School of Creative Arts. “It also gives families in the community a great reason to spend part of their Saturday enjoying good outdoor art in the comfortable surroundings of our beautiful campus.”
While the serious artists tend to their creations (remember: artist must pre-register), others will be welcome to chalk it up in an “amateur’s area” be set aside for the kids. Everyone is welcome to cheer the competitors on to masterpiece completion.
The Oeschger Family Mall is located between the Ware Student Commons and the College Union Building on the Washington Street Campus. The mall sits directly north of 24th Avenue."
-Joe Wyatt, Amarillo College
