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Top artists chalk up awards in sidewalk art contest

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 14, 2025

"It's unadulterated joy," exclaims Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios and sponsor of Chalk It Up!, describing the annual sidewalk coloring contest that turns downtown sidewalks into an evanescent art exhibit. 
Hughes, the Chalk It Up! founder, said the 29th annual event took place on a "picture perfect" Saturday. Around 150 artists took part, starting at 9 a.m. when they were issued their free box of chalk and dispatched to their assigned square.
 
Here are the winners:
  • 5 and under: Theodore Binford, Dolly Scholz, Elizabeth Gessler, Jona Gessler, Penn Selph
  • 6-8 years old: Annabelle Binford, Paxton Selph, Anna Bowen Mitchell, Frankie Losada, Belle Bernier
  • 9-12 years old: Magnolia Mitchell, Parker Wagner, Maliyah Curry, Brianna Gessler, Abishai Gessler
  • 13-20 years old: Jillian Hooper, Elijah Dugdale, Montgomery Alexander, Lillian Middlebrook, Olivia Gessler
  • 21 and up: Julia Staalman, Cody Hughes, Daniel Gessler, Rachel Benney, Katie Dugdale
  • Professional: Katie Weathers