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Cleveland's Annual Chalk Festival Celebrates Community Art in Fine Arts Garden

festival-fair · 2026-03-19

The Annual Chalk Festival, held at the Fine Arts Garden in Cleveland, takes place on September 16 and 17 from noon to 5:00 p.m. This community event, which began in 1990, allows participants of all skill levels to create chalk drawings on pavement squares, inspired by a 16th-century Italian Renaissance tradition. Professional artists, including Sequoia Bostick, Bruno Casiano, and Debra Sue Solecki, alongside students from the Cleveland Institute of Art, produce large-scale works. Visitors can enjoy live music, food trucks, and free viewing of the ephemeral art, with registration available for those wishing to draw.

Key facts

  • The festival occurs annually in September at the Fine Arts Garden in Cleveland.
  • It started in 1990 and draws from a Renaissance tradition of chalk art in Italy.
  • Participation costs $10 for a small square or $20 for a large one, including chalk supplies.

Entities

Artists

  • Sequoia Bostick
  • Bruno Casiano
  • Debra Sue Solecki

Institutions

  • Cleveland Institute of Art

Locations

  • Cleveland
  • Fine Arts Garden

Sources