Amarillo College’s Chalk It Up sidewalk art contest returns in July to give area artists a chance to hatch hued handiwork while vying for cash prizes.

Registration is now open for the free-to-enter event, which takes place Saturday, July 31 on AC’s Washington Street Campus. The first 40 entries will be accepted.

Chalk It Up is an award-winning collaboration between AC and Panhandle PBS and has a history of attracting crazy-good artwork from artists of all ages.

Entrants will be assigned eight-foot squares on which to create their masterpieces (knee pads are advisable).

The artists – they can register as individuals or teams of up to four – will create their works on AC’s Oeschger Family Mall. The competition runs from 8 a.m. to noon, at which point a panel of judges representing the local arts community will announce the winners.

But spectators – they typically number in the hundreds for this popular event – will have a say in the matter, too.

Prizes will be awarded for First, Second and Third places, and to a Fan Favorite, as well.

Last year’s Chalk It Up had to be canceled due to the pandemic, but a total of $900 was awarded to the winners in 2019, which was the third iteration of the summertime contest that always takes place on the last Saturday in July.

In addition to voting for their favorite works of art, observers at Chalk It Up are invited to create drawings with their kids in the ‘amateur’s area’ – chalk will be made available. Everyone also can contribute to a color–by-number group art piece. The presence of some local food trucks will lend to the festive atmosphere.

The Oeschger Family Mall is located between the Ware Student Commons and the College Union Building on the Washington Street Campus. The mall sits directly north of 24th Avenue.

-Amarillo College