The Chalk It Up sidewalk art contest, a summertime collaboration between Amarillo College and Panhandle PBS, has been singled out for a prestigious Golden Touch Award.
The distinctive accolade is reserved for a unique or innovative area arts event.
The honor was bestowed April 25 during the 37th Annual Golden Nail Awards ceremony at the Derrick Event Center in Amarillo.
Sponsored by the Amarillo Convention and Visitor Council Arts Committee, the Golden Nail Awards annually honor local and area individuals, businesses, foundations and organizations that support the fine arts.
In the short time since 2017, when Chalk It Up was launched, the event has become a July tradition on the Washington Street Campus, where talented artists create chalk-art masterpieces in eight-foot squares on the Oeschger Family Mall.
Approximately 750 spectators of all ages turned out last July for the second Chalk It Up contest, which featured 38 individuals or teams competing for a total of $900 in cash prizes.
“We thoroughly appreciate the way our community has embraced Chalk It Up, and we are so thankful to the Golden Nail Awards for recognizing our event’s uniqueness and impact,” said Kevin Ball, AC vice president of communications and marketing.
“This competition has in a very short time created a niche for both aspiring and professional artists. Just watching their masterpieces take shape is a true celebration of the creative spirit – for the artists and the spectators alike.”
The Touch Award is not the first notoriety AC’s fledgling sidewalk art event has received; Chalk It Up recently garnered a first-place Gold in the Special Events category as presented at the National Collegiate Advertising Awards.
In addition to voting for their favorite works of art, observers at Chalk It Up also are invited to create drawings with their kids in the ‘amateur’s area’ – plenty of chalk is be made available. Everyone also is welcome to contribute to a color–by-number group art piece, while the presence of some local food trucks lend to the festive atmosphere.
Chalk It Up is free to enter and contestants sign up online; spots in the competition are awarded on a first-come basis. Artists work on their creations from 8 a.m. to noon, at which point a panel of judges representing the local arts community announces the winners.
The 2019 Chalk It Up is scheduled for July 27 and entries will be accepted beginning on June 1. The contest is limited to the first 40 individuals or teams of up to four persons to enter.
Whether you are an artist interested in competing for cash prizes or you simply want to watch the colorful creations take shape, plan to attend AC’s award-winning Chalk It Up this summer – an artistic event the whole family will enjoy.
-Amarillo College
