Northampton Chalk Art Festival

Friday, September 10, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Northampton Center for the Arts (Map)

Tickets: Free!

Child-friendly

The first annual Northampton Chalk Art Festival is scheduled for “Arts Night Out” on Friday, September 10, 2010. Work will take place at six downtown locations from 8 am until 4 pm on the day of the event. The public is encouraged to watch the chalk art pieces develop and to view completed drawings in the evening while enjoying Northampton’s monthly gallery walk from 5-8pm. (Rain date for chalk art festival is Saturday, September 11.)

The festival was conceived by former city councilor Bob Reckman after he became intrigued by similar events in other cities. The City of Northampton, the Northampton Business Improvement District and Chartpak Inc. made commitments to sponsor the event, while the Center for the Arts agreed to invite artist participation. Following an open call and a juried selection process, six applicants have been invited to render their work in chalk on 5’x5’ cement canvases located throughout downtown Northampton. Each artist receives a $100 stipend. In addition, cash prizes of $250, $150, and $100 will be awarded by a panel of judges for the top three creations

The chalk art locations include: 4 Main Street at the corner of Strong Avenue; First Churches at Main and Center; 126 Main in front of the APE Gallery; the corner of Main and Old South; and the Academy of Music walkway. Along the route, viewers will have an opportunity to stop in at some 25 art spaces that participate in Arts Night Out. A detailed listing of exhibitions and opening receptions are available on the Arts Night Out website
and are published in the monthly Arts Night Out brochures found at participating venues in early September.

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