Denver Chalk Art Festival 2026

Drawing together, creating community.

The Denver Chalk Art Festival in the historical Museum District is a FREE two-day street-painting festival. More than 200 artists spend hours that weekend turning the streets of the golden triangle into a museum of chalk art. Artists, Sponsors and Spectators find it difficult to describe in words the splendid experience that Denver Chalk Art Festival creates.
Deadline to enter March 15th, 2026

When: June 6th & 7th, 2026
Saturday, June 6th, Artist work day.
Sunday, June 7th,  Artist work day.

The Event:   Drawing together, Creating community.
The Denver Chalk Art Festival is an award-winning event that will transform Denver's historical museum district into a colorful street museum. Over the course of two days, 200 professional, amateur, and student artists captivate audiences as they take to the pavement armed with vivid soft pastels and spend hours drawing on their hands and knees. Thousands of festival attendees enjoy food and live music as they watch beautiful chalk pieces come to life. The event is produced by Denver Chalk Art and CherryArts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting arts awareness and education in Denver.

Festival Website: http://www.denverchalk.art

Deadline to enter March 15th, 2026

When: June 6th & 7th, 2026
Saturday, June 6th, Artist work day.
Sunday, June 7th,  Artist work day.
Awards Ceremony at 5:00pm Sunday.

The chalk festival has two levels:  
Master level (for artists age 18 and up).
Youth Challenge (for high school aged students). Please see our website to enter a student team. https://eventful.regfox.com/26-dcaf-youth-challenge

Application requirements:

1. NO artist (new or returning) will be considered without a sketch/image and brief description of their proposed chalk drawing. Artists must produce the artwork submitted or get written approval to change their image.  Please submit one image of the art you wish to create and three images of your past art work in any medium.
2. The award for reproduction of a master work is going to a new level, now called, Best Reproduction of a Museum Treasure.  Artists who wish to have their chalk art piece considered for this award must recreate a work of art that is in one of Denver's many amazing museums.  Thank you for helping us celebrate the wonderful works of art in this city.
3. Artists that plan to reproduce another living artist's work MUST get written permission in the form of an email or letter.
4. Artwork for the festival must be appropriate for public viewing. No words, symbols or logos intended as advertising may appear within the chalk drawing image.
5. Artists are not allowed to sub-advertise their square/space in any way.  Official sponsors and artists only.
6. Chalk will be provided; however, if you are using a predominant color in your design you may want to purchase that color before the festival.  Only non-oil-based soft chalk/pastels in a solid form may be used for the street painting. Acrylic paints, spray can pastels, oil-based pastels, hard pastels, etc. are not acceptable.
7. Squares are 8'x8'.  If your proposed artwork is not a square it must hit 8 feet in one direction.
8. There will be a limited number of 8'x12' vertical spaces reserved for the 3-D challenge.
9. Artists can apply to be considered for a mural team and create an image that is 8’x12’ horizontal. Mural teams require a minimum of 3 artists and maximum of 5.
10. Chalk artists at the festival are not paid and there is no reimbursement for travel or lodging.
11. Denver Chalk Art Festival provides one set of 24 soft pastels, water, and breakfast and lunch will be provided thought out the weekend. All artists are invited to attend our VIP party.
12. Artists are required to work on their chalk drawings both Saturday and Sunday of the festival. 
13. Artists must be at least 18 years old.
14. Deadline to enter is March 15th, 2026. We will let you know the jury results by April 1st, 2026.

​The Tradition
The event follows street painting traditions that originated in 16th century Renaissance Italy when artists began transforming pavement into canvas using chalk. The artists were called “madonnari,” after their customary practice of creating chalk paintings of the Madonna. Historically, madonnari were known for their life of travel and freedom, making their living from coins received from passers-by. With World War II came many hardships, greatly reducing the number of these artists. The art form was not officially brought back to life until 1972 when the small town of Grazie di Curtatone in Italy started the first international street painting competition. Today artists worldwide are taking to the streets, bringing with them new ideas, techniques, and excitement for this form of expression. 

Question / info call:  
Michael Rieger, Art Director  720-331-6402  Michael@LapisStudioDenver.com

Artists are required to submit four images:  One image of the art you wish to create at the event and three images of your past art work in any medium.

The Denver Chalk Art Festival has two levels:  
Master level (for artists age 18 and up).
Youth Challenge (for high school aged students). Please see our website to enter a student team. https://eventful.regfox.com/26-dcaf-youth-challenge