Artists Of All Ages Sought For Downtown Dunn Chalk Fest

DUNN, N.C. – Artists from across North Carolina are being invited to “Make Your Mark” in downtown Dunn as Chalk Fest returns with an expanded focus on discovering and showcasing creative talent.

The Harnett County Arts Council will hold Chalk Fest 2026 on Saturday, Oct. 3, in the Dunn City Parking Lot at the corner of North Clinton Avenue and East Edgerton Street, behind Sherry’s Bakery.

Artists ranging in age from 6 to 100 are invited to compete by creating original artwork on prepared 3-by-3-foot black chalkboards.

Artist check-in begins at 8 a.m. The festival opens to the public at 10 a.m., judging begins at 2 p.m., and winners will be announced at 3 p.m.

This year’s theme, “MAKE YOUR MARK, NC,” is intended to make Chalk Fest more than a one-day competition. Organizers said the goal is to discover, develop and elevate North Carolina artists by giving people of different ages, backgrounds and artistic disciplines a place to create and have their work seen.

“Creativity is not limited to a gallery, a particular age or a traditional medium,” Harnett County Arts Council President Kittrane Sanders said. “We want to give local and regional artists a visible stage, challenge them to try something different, and create opportunities for their work to continue beyond October 3.”

Competition Open To All Ages

Artists will compete in three age divisions: ages 6-12, 13-17 and 18 and older.

Awards will be presented for Best in Show, Best Design and Best Use of Color in each division. A People’s Choice Award will also be presented.

Cash prizes will be awarded in each category and age group.

Each registered artist will receive a prepared 3-by-3-foot black board, a box of pastel chalk and a sponsor swag bag.

The People’s Choice Award, also known as the Popular Vote, will be determined by donations made to each artist’s bucket at their work station, along with online votes tied to each artist’s assigned number.

The artist whose work generates the most money will receive the Popular Vote award.

That winner traditionally receives a handmade trophy created by a Harnett County Arts Council member. Organizers said the trophy is designed differently each year.

Artwork Could Live Beyond Festival Day

The Arts Council is also developing a new post-event project that could give selected Chalk Fest artwork a life beyond Oct. 3.

Organizers plan to professionally document eligible completed pieces for a possible inaugural Chalk Fest Calendar and/or Coffee Table Art Book.

Chalk Fest organizers are especially encouraging artists who do not normally work with chalk to participate.

Painters, illustrators, graphic designers, muralists, tattoo artists, students, teachers, digital creators and serious hobby artists are among those being invited to try the competition.

More Than Chalk

The festival will also include vendors from the Dunn Farmers Market along with other community vendors.

After Chalk Fest concludes, visitors can continue the day with The Heavy and Western Concert across the street, hosted by The Bird’s Nest Listening Room, Cigar for Hope and Black River Tobacco Co.

Admission to Chalk Fest is free for spectators.

Artist registration is $25 plus the ticketing fee and is available through the event’s Humanitix registration page.

Additional information is available at Chalkfest.art.

The Harnett County Arts Council works to support and promote the visual and performing arts while encouraging creativity, inclusivity and cultural enrichment throughout the county.