Let's talk chalk: 7th annual Dickinson Chalk Walk draws competition

Jason R. O'Day, The Dickinson Press, N.D.
·2 min read

Aug. 11—DICKINSON — Dickinson Parks and Recreation hosted its seventh annual Chalk Walk at Veterans Memorial Park on Tuesday evening.

"The Chalk Walk aims to empower and support art appreciation by providing an opportunity for professional artists and people of the community to free hand with chalk and showcase their talents," the parks department stated in a Facebook post. "Our event allows everyone the opportunity to engage in an outdoor activity that invites creativity by using chalk, and walking around to appreciate the art of others."

This coincided with the park's weekly summer bandshell concert series. Attendees jammed out to the country songs from a hometown band called Breaking Eight.

The park department's goal was to encourage creativity and sidewalk artistry throughout the park with competitions to make things interesting. With dozens of concrete squares chalk full of beautiful art and lots of community bonding, Dickinson Parks & Recreation Program Director Alissa Karsky said it was a success.

She said about 20 individual artists competed for a top spot. In the adult category the winners were Cassy Gerhardt in first place, Hector Nava in second and Rebecca Schuster in third. In the youth (under 18) category, winners included first place Burkley Luchi, 16, Madelyn Coleman, 16, and Sophia Patterson, 14.

"It's a great opportunity for individual youth and adults to chalk, compete and just have an event where there is art incorporated," Karsky said. "There was also an art teacher in the community that got her students involved."

Relay for Life, a cancer fighting charity, had a trailer selling food and concessions for a good cause. Board members with the Southwest Art and Science Center, an

interactive museum

slated to open at some point in 2023, provided information about their planned venture and helped young artists chalk their masterpieces. The bookstore Friends of the Dickinson Area Public Library sold children's books.

Several area businesses and other entities also competed by drawing creative renditions of their logos. In that competition Iron Works Welding took the gold, The Title Team took second and Wallwork Truck Center came in third.

Karsky noted that there's still plenty of sidewalk left in the park and that anyone who would like to add their contribution to the concrete collage is encouraged to do so.