The City of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation, the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council and the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) have announced that the 15th annual Chalk the Walk has become a virtual event.

Artists, children and families are encouraged to send photos of chalk artwork throughout the month of April to the Chalk the Walk committee through the committee’s email address at mv.chalkthewalk@gmail.com

Photos will be gathered and posted online for viewers to have the opportunity to vote electronically in the People’s Choice category. Other prizes will be awarded based on votes from the Chalk the Walk committee members, all working remotely from their homes. Decisions will be finalized during the first weekend of May and posted by Sunday, May 3. All winners will be mailed Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Cash gift certificates good for any Mount Vernon-Lisbon business. The gift certificates will not have a deadline, so that winners can use the gift certificates at any time.

Submission Instructions

The deadline to get your artwork submitted for consideration for the People’s Choice Award is May 1st at 3pm. Throughout the month of April, you can create chalk drawings safely at your own homes, on your sidewalks or driveways. There are no limitations to your work, it can be in any size or shape and created with any type of chalk. After you complete your work, take a photo and email it to us at mv.chalkthewalk@gmail.com or DM us here through Facebook messenger. With your photo please include the following in your message to us: Your Name (or if you create as a group of people just one name will work) and your address. We will NOT share this info over social media but will use this to send out prizes after voting has taken place.

“This is the 15th anniversary of Chalk the Walk,” said Andrea Gorsh, Chair of the Chalk the Walk committee. “We hope everyone will be inspired by our virtual festival, keeping the spirit and joy of Chalk the Walk alive and well, albeit in ways we have never imagined. Although the Chalk the Walk festival will not happen as we have all enjoyed it for the past 15 years, the show will go on through this new virtual event!”

A safe curbside chalk pickup station is being set up for those wishing to receive complimentary chalk between 2 and 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, April 1 through 3, at Kae Apothecary, 100 1st St. SW. For those without sidewalks or chalk, the committee is accepting photos of pieces done at a previous time or event for a special category called Previously Created Chalk Art.

All sponsor and vendor checks will be returned within the next month.
Stay up to date by contacting us at mv.chalkthewalk@gmail.com to learn more about the virtual Chalk the Walk event.

Chalk the Walk is based on an original art form that began in Italy in the 16th century. Called Madonnari, this form of public art was originally done by street artists hoping to collect coins from passersby. Images back then were based on religious themes, and as the Madonna was a popular subject, the artists became known as the “Madonnari.”

About Mount Vernon

Historic Mount Vernon, Iowa, is home to 4500 residents, including 1200 college students enrolled at Cornell College. Located in Eastern Iowa at the intersection of Highways 30 and 1, 20 miles north of Iowa City and 15 miles east of Cedar Rapids, it boasts a vibrant uptown business community with numerous antique and specialty stores, restaurants, coffee houses, commercial art galleries, and three National Historic Districts.May 2 and Sunday, May 3, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Join the fun at Chalk the Walk 2020!

RSVP for Chalk the Walk 2020 on Facebook

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