Professional artists and local students will compete for awards and cash prizes on the streets of downtown Palm Springs this weekend in the 11th annual Palm Springs Chalk Art Festival.
The two-day event takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19, on Museum Way in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum. The festival is presented by the Rotary Clubs of Palm Springs, and is free to the public.
While Southern California is currently experiencing unusually wet weather, Kevin Taylor, community service chair for the Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Club, tells Out Traveler he remains optimistic about this weekend.
“Fortunately, the weather this weekend isn’t calling for rain, just partly cloudy skies,” Taylor tells Out Traveler. “We should be fine.”
COURTESY SOPHIA MORAN/PALMS SPRINGS CHALK ART FESTIVAL
The event features professional artists from around Southern California along with students from the Palm Springs Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District, and Coachella Valley School District.
COURTESY JENNIFER RIPASSA/PALMS SPRINGS CHALK ART FESTIVAL
The chalk artists will create their work on Saturday, with judging taking place later the same day. On Sunday, other local students will be invited to add their own chalk renderings. Awards will be presented for Best of Show, People’s Choice, and Best of Show for Students. All proceeds from the festival will be donated to the Palm Springs Sunup Rotary Foundation, and will directly fund Rotary student leadership programs, local charitable organizations in the Coachella Valley, and other worthy projects.
COURTESY JOEL OWENS/PALMS SPRINGS CHALK ART FESTIVAL
Organizers proudly note the evolution of the festival from its humble origins in a local supermarket parking lot to its current location with two city blocks of concrete canvas.
You can learn more information about the 11th annual Palm Springs Chalk Art Festival, including a stunning gallery of past entries, at www.palmspringschalkartfestival.com.
