EVENT INFORMATION:

The center of downtown Wausau will once again be transformed by artists and their colorful pastel art drawings. This is the 9th year for this sidewalk art festival which is for artists of all ages and levels of ability to participate and for art enthusiasts to observe and enjoy.

Click here to see Photo Gallery of ChalkFest 2011

ChalkFest Wausau will be held two days, Saturday, July 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 15, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participants are encouraged to pre-register to reserve a space by 5:00 p.m. on July 10.

Check-in for participants will be from 8:00 - 12:00 p.m. on Saturday at the festival headquarters located on the 400 Block. Organizers will be available to show you your assigned space and provide you with registration materials.

Reserved spaces will be released to other artists at noon, unless the committee is notified in advance to hold the space beyond that time. Drawings can be worked on until dusk. No lights will be provided. 

HONORARY ARTISTS:

Artists selected by the ChalkFest Committee will be featured in the center section of the festival grounds.  

REGISTRATION FEE:

To participate and secure a space, fill out the attached form and mail it with a check for the appropriate amount.

$15.00 registration fee

Click here to download registration form

ARTISTS RECEIVE:

• Assigned space
• Box of 48 pastels
• One set of latex gloves
• Sponge for blending

Additional supplies will be on sale at the event in limited quantities.

First time participants must be 12 years old. Children 11 and under can join the ChalkFest Children’s area and pre-registration is not required. $3 material fee includes a box of chalk.

IMPORTANT: 

The 400 Block, where ChalkFest is held, has cement sidewalk lines that create natural spaces. These spaces vary in size. Spaces are sold as small, medium or large. Participants must stay within their assigned space to create their artwork, be it square, horizontal or vertical and move around without interfering with artist/space next to theirs. 

Due to these pre-set spaces and increase in participation, we cannot guarantee co-neighbor placement requests.

SPACE SIZES:

___ SMALL (Approximate size is 4’ x 4’) Recommended for youth 14 years and under

___ MEDIUM (Approximate size range is 5’- 6’ x 6’- 7’) 

___ LARGE (Approximate size range is 5’- 6’ x 8’ - 9’) Largest sizes may contain one or more lines.

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS:

• Wear a hat and sun block to prevent sunburn.
• Knee pads are strongly recommended.
• Pastels will be provided in multi-colors so keep in mind if you are using a predominant color in your design you may need to purchase additional sticks in that color. Some swapping of colors with other artists may be possible.  Additional supplies will be on sale at the event in limited quantities.

RULES OF PARTICIPATION:

• First time participants must be 12 years of age.  Those 11 and under are encouraged to join in the Children’s ChalkFest area.
• Artwork must be appropriate for public viewing: full nudes, advertising, business logos, or political statements will NOT be accepted.
• Committee reserves the right to limit the number of people working on any space, with exception of those who have registered for shared spaces.
• No oil pastels allowed.
• Children under 12 must be supervised by a parent/guardian.
• Artists must stay within space provided, but the whole space does not have to be used.
• Non-compliance with these rules may result in removal from the festival.

• The ChalkFest Committee may use photos or reproductions of artworks for future advertising and media purposes.

IN CASE OF RAIN:
Clear plastic sheeting will be available, but distributed only under the direction of the committee on site.  In case of severe weather, the festival will be cancelled. No refunds are available if event is cancelled.

RELATED EVENTS:

Free Pastel Technique Classes

Wednesday, July 11 at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

Local artist Mort McBain will conduct free classes on pastel sidewalk techniques in the 400 Block, downtown. In case of rain, classes will be held at the CVA. Call the CVA at 842-4545 to register.

Children’s ChalkFest

Saturday, July 14, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Sunday, July 15, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Kids 11 and under are encouraged to explore their artistic talents by creating their own drawing. This option does not require pre-registration and a box of chalk is included in the $3 materials fee.

ChalkFest Artist’s Reception

Sunday, July 15 at 4:00 p.m.

A reception and award ceremony will take place in the CVA Gallery located at 427 4th Street (across from festival). Refreshment will be provided to the participants.

OTHER EVENTS:

Wausau Area Event Balloon Rally & Glow

Free events held all weekend July 12 - 14, 2012.

Witness the magic of hot air balloons. Wausau Downtown Airport.

Big Bull Falls BBQ Rib Fest  

Wausau Downtown Airport.

For more information go to wausauballoonrally.com or wausauareaevents.org.

Wausau Downtown Sidewalk Sales July 12 - 15, 2012.

CVA Gallery Exhibition

Horizon Lines: From Life and the Studio

May 18 – July 15, 2012

Four artists working en plein air (out doors) and in the studio showcase the qualities of pastel and oil painting from precision detail to broad painterly abstraction. With a focus on natural horizon lines, the artists explore many environments, seasons, and times. Paintings so enticing you can taste the summer grass and feel the cool night air.
Featuring: Kay Brathol-Hostvet, Jan Norsetter, Diane Washa, Jonathan Wilde

PARK AND RIDE:

Saturday Event Shuttle Service 

Park once and then ride the bus to ChalkFest, Balloon Rally, Big Bull Fall BBQ Rib Fest and Sidewalk Sales.  For details go to wausauareaevents.org.

Weekend Event Shuttle Service

Park once and then ride the bus to ChalkFest, Balloon Rally, Kayak Races and Sidewalk Sales. For details go to wausauareaevents.org

EVENT LOCATION/DIRECTIONS:

If you are coming from out of town, take exit 192 off Hwy 51/ Interstate 39. Follow Hwy 52 East (E. Stewart Ave.) to the Wausau downtown City Square.

Event headquarters will be located on the square the day of the event. Free parking is available nearby. Restaurants and restrooms are within walking distance of the festival grounds.

DOWNTOWN PARKING:
Free parking all weekend in the Jefferson Street Ramp, McClellan Street Ramp, JC Penney (west mall) Ramp and the Sears (east mall) Ramp, which are located within 2 blocks from site. Click here for map.

HOTEL/RESTAURANT/GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you are traveling to the area, please check out the following web sites for general information, directions, hotels, motels, restaurants, event information, and more.
• Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors - www.wausaucvb.com
• City of Wausau - www.ci.wausau.wi.us
• Wausau Area Events - www.wausauareaevents.org

CAMPING INFORMATION:
Marathon Park Campground is located off Stewart Avenue, close to downtown Wausau. There are 35 sites (most have electric), dumping station, showers, flush toilets, water, picnic area, concession area, and hiking trails. Call for cost. Reservations must be made directly to the Wausau/Marathon County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department at (715) 261-1550 or go to www.co.marathon.wi.us/infosite.asp?dep=25

SPONSOR INFORMATION:

Sponsors that helped make this event possible are City of Wausau, Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau Area Events, Becker Communications, Inc., Jon Goertz Design and Downtown Grocery. Special thanks to Donald Frisque of Lightcatcher Photography for the use of his photos for marketing purposes.

This event is financially supported by City of Wausau Room Tax Funding and the Community Arts Grant Program of the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin with funds provided by the Wisconsin Arts Board, a state agency, the Community Foundation and B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation.  This is a non-profit event; all proceeds go to support the ChalkFest event.

EVENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
For more information or questions about ChalkFest, contact the CVA at 715-842-4545 or by email