CALL TO ARTISTS! Chalk-the-Block, Public Art Street Festival 2009

Calling all artists! The City of El Paso’s Public Art Program and the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department is looking for local and regional artists who would like to produce chalk art on the city sidewalks of Downtown El Paso as part of the Second Annual Public Art Street Festival titled “Chalk the Block.”

Participation is open to all artists, who reside in El Paso, Cd. Juarez, and Las Cruces. Interested artists may choose to apply as a Showcase, Emerging, or High School Artist or Artist Team. Each category will be competing for a First, Second, and Third Place cash prize, and be considered for a Best of Show Award.

Upon selection by a jury panel made up of local artists and members of the community, a group of artists will be chosen to participate in Chalk the Block and be required to attend a chalk art workshop. All artists will be responsible for the production of a creative and unique design to be done in chalk on a sidewalk block the day of the event.

The event will be held on Saturday, September 19th, from 12:00pm to 6:00pm and spaces will be limited.

For a detailed description regarding project qualifications and submission requirements please visit our event website at www.chalktheblock.com.

Applications will be taken through July 31st and those winning artists selected to participate will be announced by August 14th.

The event is brought to you in collaboration with the City of El Paso Museums & Cultural Affairs Department and the El Paso Community Foundation.

About the Event

Chalk the Block is a public art event entering its second year. The highlight of the event is the works of art made in chalk by both established and emerging artists. The City of El Paso’s Public Art Program and the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, in collaboration with the El Paso Community Foundation, will open to artists on Friday September 18th and host the Chalk the Block Downtown Public Art Street Festival on Saturday, September 19, 2009, noon to 6 p.m. at the Arts Festival Plaza. The fun-filled event will also include entertaining activities for people of all ages such as the Creative Kids Zone, the Teen Skate area, Light as Air, an inflatable exhibition, vendors, live music and food.

For additional information please contact Marisol Lopez, Public Art Program Specialist at (915) 541-4257 or e-mail lopezma@elpasotexas.gov.