Bigfork is hosting its first chalk art festival Sept. 21-22, the Bigfork Chalk ’n Rock Festival, and expects to decorate its streets with as many as 40 large works of art.

The Festival will occupy much of Electric Avenue, the main street in Bigfork. It is intended as a celebration of performance art, including visual art created on the streets and the aural art created on the stage.  As the artists create on the pavement, talented musical groups from the area will perform on a stage during the day Saturday and Sunday.

Lori Escalera, one of America’s prominent street painters, will be the Featured Artist at the Chalk ’n Rock Festival this year, both demonstrating her talents as she draws on the street and sharing her experience as she offers tips and wisdom to other artists participating in the festival.  And although many artists will participate just for the joy of creating art, the Festival committee will make art a little more profitable for some this year. The committee has allocated $1,500 for artist prizes, with $500 going to the best square.

Children will have an opportunity to fill two-foot squares for a $5 entry fee (chalk included), will also compete, with a top prize of $100. The complete breakdown of prizes is:

Best of Show:  $500

Second prize: $300

Third prize: $200

Honorable mentions: 3 @ $100 = $300

Best Kid square = $100

Kid second prize = $50

Kid honorable mentions: 2 @ $25 = $50

The Chalk ’n Rock Festival is free to the artists and to the visitors.  It is funded through the Bigfork Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Office of Tourism and the support of many other businesses, organizations, and individuals.   

Artists who would like to participate can get an application online at www.chalknrock.org.

Everyone with artistic talent who would like to participate in the 2014 Festival is invited to apply.