Raindrops keep falling on my chalk art.

Recently I was asked to judge the Utah Foster Care Foundation’s Chalk Art Festival. I arrived at the specified time only to be greeted by a healthy rainstorm that showed no signs of stopping. In the category of things that don’t go together? Rain and chalk art.

At first, the people in charge suggested that we bag going out to view the art and instead try and find photos of the entries to judge. But along with the other judges, I felt we needed to give the artists their due and go see the chalk art. So we grabbed our umbrellas and ventured out into the rain to view sidewalk drawings. And I’m glad we did. The art was great. And the artists were happy to see us. In additon, much of the incredible art survived the deluge surprisingly well. (Many artists use hairspray as a fixative and it proved to be darn good protection against the water.)

I have to apologize to the artists. I hate it when people don’t give all the details for works of art. But it was so crazy with the rain that I didn’t capture the artists names associated with each work. So if you’re out there and you see your art posted here, please leave a comment and let me know.

Here then are some of my favorite works, many of them were even winners.

This work was by a featured artist so it didn't qualify for judging but the bubbly bath water
seemed strangely appropriate for a wet, rainy day.

This was one of my favorite images. I loved the illustrative quality
and the content was perfectly appropriate for a chalk art festival.

A little bit hippie, but isn't the chalk art festival all about love?

Yes it's a rip off of a familiar image. But it was sure rendered well.

This was amazing. It felt like something you'd see in a Chelsea gallery. Only it washes away with the rain.

There were plenty of other works of chalk art that I didn’t photograph (like the adorable kid snorkeling). If you didn’t go this year, be sure to go next year. And definitely go to the gala. At $25 a ticket, it’s one of the most affordable gala events in Salt Lake City. And it’s fun, with a great silent auction. Plus, it benefits the Utah Foster Care Foundation. Let’s hope next year is warm and sunny. And I hope they invite me back to judge.