Cameron Nye, Contributing Photographer

On Saturday, Oct. 12, local chalk aficionados took to the sidewalks of New Haven for the Annual Chalk Art Festival. Armed with only their art supplies, both professionals and novices alike ushered in the season with unique and colorful creations. 

Dozens participated in last week’s festivities. Their drawings ranged from jolly jack-o’-lanterns to an eerie witch’s brew. According to Luciana Varkevisser ’27, the festival felt like a childlike homecoming.

“I think it’s so fun to be able to just go back to your roots of being like a toddler,” said Varkevisser, who is also a staff reporter for the News.

Varkevisser started doing chalk art this past summer. Beginning as a simple pastime, it eventually grew into a regular hobby.

Using chalk as a medium is incredibly “visceral,” she said. 

“You’re on your knees, shading with your hands. It’s so much more than just sitting on an easel and painting with a brush.”

She began brainstorming weeks ago, eventually deciding on two skeletons trick-or-treating. Varkevisser then took to practice for her masterpiece on the chalkboards of Linsly-Chittenden Hall and the concrete of Saybrook Courtyard. After the festival, she hopes to continue designing little chalk pop-ups to brighten people’s days.

Chalk art is more than just dragging a dyed piece of limestone across the pavement. Artists put hours into sketching and outlining their ideas. 

They employ numerous techniques to achieve their desired design: shading with dry paint brushes, rubbing the chalk in with your hands or even wetting the chalk and using it as a paint.

The Chalk Art Festival began at noon as artists began checking in for registration. Once assigned their square, they began sketching and shading. Their work had to be completed by 3:30 p.m. to be judged. 

Besides bragging rights, the winners were given gift cards to local businesses. The first-place winner received a $1,000 gift card to Hull’s Art Supply; the following winners received prize money to use at stores like Urban Outfitters, J.Crew and Sneaker Junkies. 

Saturday’s event was heavily attended. Patrons ogled as they weaved between artists hard at work.

Bella Le ’27 described the festival as a “beautiful gathering to celebrate local artists.” She was blown away by the dedication of its participants.

“It was nice to see the different techniques and designs that people came up with,” she said.

Besides chalk art, attendees of Saturday’s festival were treated to live music, a magician, free popcorn and many other treats to help usher in the autumnal season. The festival brought together citizens of New Haven from all walks of life to build community and celebrate the start of fall.

Although the art form is mostly thought of as just for children, the same box of Crayola chalk in the right hands can create a masterpiece.

Kamile Makselyte ’27, another attendee, summed up the event as a “fun little outing and a nice way for people to express themselves.”

Sidewalk chalk originated in 16th-century Europe as a way to celebrate religious festivals.