We are republishing this post on the 2014 Dogwoods Arts Chalk Walk since the 2015 event will take place this Saturday, April 11. After you see these fabulous designs in chalk, we know you’ll want to be there on Market Square in Downtown Knoxville to see what the artists produce this year. One of our favorite events at dogwood time!!
Favorite entry in Chalk Walk 2014 by students of the STEM Academy.
It its sixth year at the Dogwood Arts Festival, Chalk Walk has again brought out artists young and old, amateur and professional to create ephemeral art from mere pieces of chalk. Although last year’s Chalk Walk was mostly washed away by heavy rains only an hour or so after completion, this year’s event left lasting impressions in Krutch Park and Market Square downtown. 
And the crowds loved it! Sidewalks were packed as viewers moved cautiously, elbow-to-elbow, careful not to disturb those carefully shaded areas of the designated, marked-off squares.
Chalk Walk is art. But it’s also an event. And this year’s combined the best: great weather, huge crowd, fabulous art!
Artists at Work
The artists were as much fun to watch as they moved in closely or stood up to get a better idea of how the work was flowing. Sometimes they talked to the crowd; sometimes they worked in silence. We found it fascinating to watch an artist and then return an hour later to check on the progress.
Artists sometimes worked together to share chalk — whether the rainbow shades came in neat boxes or in sacks of leftover pieces like children use on home driveways. Jerry’s Artarama donated some of the chalk, but we have a feeling that there could have been several runs to the store for more as artists wore the pieces down to nubs.
Artists worked together to select and share the right colors
Sometimes we wondered if artists dressed to match their creations!
Baby powder was the medium of choice for the faces in this entry.
Teamwork helped Faith McDaniel, Katy Rivers, and Sam Artman create this dancing lady piece.
Curtis Glover dedicated his chalk drawings of the characters from Monsters, Inc., to his nephews, Anderson and Max.
Young Artists
Some of the best entries in the competition came from students. Teams and soloists from area schools gave it their all in the hot sun — and made quite an impression with their creativity and detail.
Taking a picture of the entry by students at Blue Grass Elementary.
Loved this picture even more when we discovered the artist was only 14 years old!
An eighth grade student from Vine Middle School worked on this creative drawing and then talked with us about what inspired her.
Sent a picture of this colorful tiger done by students at West High to the LSU fans in my family!
Summer Meiling Finn, the 2013 People’s Choice Award winner, won again this year in the Middle School category.
Personal Faves
Of course, any time you go to an event like this, you have some standouts. Here are the ones we remember most . . . just because we like them.
The artist evaluates the many shades of color in this portrait of a lady.
Many hands — students from STEM Academy — worked on this dreamlike creation while the principal and teachers cheered them on!
If you live in Knoxville and you love the Vols, you’ll crowd around (like just about everyone did) to snap a picture of their favorite hound dog, Smokey!
About the only thing I can remember drawing with chalk during my lifetime is a hop-scotch grid, so I’m thinking we just may have to join our granddaughter when she creates something special in our driveway this summer. After all, if you mess up a chalk drawing, so what? It’s not like we could compete with the artists on Market Square. They’re good.
Emerson quote rang true with a lot of folks judging by the number of photos taken of it!
Chalk Walk 2014 was sponsored by Avanti Savoia. Chairing this event were Kathy Slocum and Jim Dodson.
For more information, click here for the Dogwood Arts Festival Website. You can also check out the history of street art as well as the winners in this year’s competition.
The Traveling Bazaar
One of My Previous Vendors was One of the Chalk Walk Artists! It was so Awesome Seeing her Art so Big on the Sidewalk!
Oh, the Places We See
So interesting! Wondering now if she entered the 2015 competition. Will look through my pictures.
Marion Driessen
I can imagine why this is your favorite event, wow! 😀
Oh, the Places We See
Marion, it’s about as much fun seeing the studios as it is seeing the art. Love this whole event — just wish it were longer. Two days isn’t enough to get around town and talk to the artists. But what I see I love!
Curt Mekemson
Isn’t it amazing what sidewalk artist can do with chock? And the kids! I’m jealous. 🙂 –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
It truly is amazing. And they work hunched over for the better part of the day. I hope to post some examples from this year’s competition.
Curt Mekemson
Great! Looking forward to it. –Curt
Cheri Jorgenson
Thanks for featuring our L&N art honor society work! We love this event and enjoy participating every year!
Oh, the Places We See
You are quite welcome! I’m always impressed when students take on a project of this magnitude and see it through ’til the end. Congrats!
Sue
Looks like a lot of fun! Hope you get the sun for this….
Oh, the Places We See
This always is one of my favorite events. It lasts all day. Some of the artists stay in the sun or shade and paint hunched over the sidewalk. Hopefully, it’s worth it to them. It’s definitely a plus for us viewers!
createarteveryday
OMG this is so beautiful. Brought a tear to my eye, that RWE quote. Morning made! Thank you for sharing.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks for your heartfelt comment. It’s a lovely event. And even though it’s crowded, everyone is polite — wanting all to see each work.
Kevin Brent
That’s incredible work!
Rusha Sams
You are so right. Some of them worked most of the day, and, of course, by the next day the clarity was diminished. It was still fun to see them even a few days later — lots of creativity, for sure!
LuAnn
These are fabulous. We found a similar festival when we were in Santa Barbara, CA a couple of years ago. There are some talented people out there! 🙂
Rusha Sams
These folks were very talented — the shading, contrasts, tiny details all made for great art! Thanks for reading. I’d love to go to Santa Barbara to make a comparison.
Valentina
So many artists out there! I Liked the eighth grade student work, may be because I like the naïve that of painting.
Rusha Sams
I agree with you. So many artists, and some are very young. Thanks for reading and commenting. I liked that eighth-grader’s work, too!
Gary
Absolutely beautiful! Some very talented artists!
Rusha Sams
So true! I loved all of them for some aspect or the other — but most had great color, shading, and composition. Thanks for reading!
freebutfun
Awesome!
Rusha Sams
It was a fun day — nice sunshine, lots of people viewing, and artists at work. Hope it’s that good again! Thanks for reading!
Miss Lou
Beautiful!!! I never had any idea chalk drawings could be so vibrant!! #Amazing
ML
x
Rusha Sams
I was blown away by the vibrancy also. And the shading. Not sure I would go to that much trouble knowing that the painting wouldn’t last long, but artists poured their hearts into the work! Thanks for reading!
Amy
Amazing chalk art works! Really enjoy the tour, Rusha!
Rusha Sams
Thanks. I can’t believe the detail that artists can get out of chalk on sidewalk!
Amy
Yea, the details are incredible! You took some really cool photos.
suzjones
Awesome Rusha. What a great event to have attended.
Rusha Sams
It was fun, and very crowded this year. So glad the city is turning out for these artist events. This one is becoming quite popular! Thanks for reading.