Welcome to the sign up for this year’s CHALKFEST 2026 Saturday August 1st and Sunday August 2nd at BUFFALO RIVERWORKS! The theme will be MUSIC and as always, you can use your imagination here to connect to the theme however your heart desires.
Spots will be filled on a first come first serve basis along with skill set / experience. We will do our best to be fair about placement. There will be three levels to sign up as:
- Expert / Advanced (must include 2 photos of previous art)
- Expert / Advanced Youth (under 18)
- General Chalker
We will be only using limited numbered spots this year inside the silos, reserved for the advanced adults. There will be a few areas for advanced under 18 as well. Spots will be assigned.
No paint, crayon, ink or other non-washable or permanent products will be allowed. Any non-chalk props or items used in the artwork will exclude it from judging. ONLY chalk can be used for the drawings with a washable single-color tempera base. Chalk, soft pastels, tempera paint (as a base) and hair spray are the medium allowed for the festival.
Use of any non-chalk or non-washable products will disqualify the artwork and the artist will be responsible for the cost of clean-up.
As for judging this year we will have fixed judges. Judging will begin at 3pm on Sunday and we will have an award ceremony at 5pm in the front room of the GLF grain silo or on the wharf outside it next to the river, weather depending.
This year we have added new categories. The cash prizes will be the same as last year but we have added trophies for the following for Awards and trophies for 17 different categories this year:
- 1st Place Overall, (plus cash)
- 2nd Place Overall, (plus cash)
- 3rd Place Overall (plus cash)
- People’s Choice Award (online)
- Under 12 – 1st
- Under 12 – 2nd
- Teen – 13 to 18 1st
- Teen – 13 to 18 2nd
- Teen – 13-18 3rd
- Best Multi-Artist Team Collaboration
- Most original
- Best use of space/composition
- Rookie of the Year (1st time participant in ANY chalkfest)
- Honorable Mention Adult
- Honorable Mention under 18
- Best in show – outside
- Runner up Best in Show – Outside
RULES REMINDER: Artist working hours are 9am-5pm each day (3pm Sunday judging begins).
Nudity or political statements will be disqualified. Please keep images family friendly (movie/TV/pop culture violence is not a problem if tastefully done).Use as much of the space as needed. We do NOT penalize smaller pieces, as each concrete area is different. Use your area as you see fit. But remember: Best use of space/composition is an award. Artists must complete their assigned square by closing of the festival on Sunday, as judging starts at 4pm and concludes within that hour with awards at 5pm. Only non-permanent chalk may be used. Use of any other material is forbidden (i.e. oil pastels, paint, markers, etc.) This includes if you use a “chalkboard ground” or base black layer. It must be removable after the festival with power washing, such as tempera washable paint.
Chalkfest is both on Saturday and Sunday, and Wellfest is on Sunday 12-4pm.
Both events are FREE to the public, and both events help showcase what Buffalo is all about. A beautiful and creative art scene, and blossoming health and wellness scene focused on getting people living their most vibrant lives!
Please email jketry@buffaloriverworks.com with any questions. Thank you!
