News

'Chalk It Up!' set to turn sidewalks into outdoor gallery

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 7, 2025

“Chalk It Up!,” the sidewalk art contest that transforms downtown sidewalks into an outdoor museum, is scheduled for Saturday, July 12.

One of the oldest and largest chalk art contests in the nation, “Chalk It Up!” begins when artists start drawing at 9 a.m. and ends when the next big rain washes the colorful imagery away.

“Hopefully the weather will be great," said event founder Barbara Hughes, owner of Narnia Studios. "We do have two rain dates (July 19 and 26) but we sure don’t want to have to use them."

Hughes says the innocence and charm of “Chalk It Up!” are reasons for its popularity.

“One hundred fifty artists from under 5 years old to 75 years old plus come together to create an al fresco art experience,” she says. “It gives everyone who is lucky enough to reserve a space a chance to feel ownership of that square of Main Street for whatever length of time their artwork lasts, weather-wise!” 

“Chalk It Up!” draws thousands of visitors to downtown Hendersonville to watch the makeover of city sidewalks from blank canvas to a panoramic artistic expression.

Categories for the contest are 5 & under, 6-8 years old, 9-12, 13-20, 21 & over and professional. The event is free. Registration lasts until the spaces are filled. The chalk is provided with each artist receiving 20 different colors. No outside medium is allowed. There are 5 winners in each age category. Local merchants donate the prizes for the winners. The professional category has one "best of show" winner. For more information, call Hughes at 697-6393. To register for “Chalk It Up!” go to Narnia Studios, 408 N. Main St.