Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

Dozens of chalk artists will hit the pavement during the 4th annual Chalk Art Festival on Saturday, April 29, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Tempe Marketplace, Desert Ridge Marketplace and Westgate Entertainment District.

Artists from the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) will descend upon each shopping venue to craft colorful, eye-popping, dimension-bending illustrations on 6-by-6-foot canvas murals. The addition of canvases is a switch up from years past, when art was drawn directly onto the pavement. The permanent canvases will allow the murals to be enjoyed long after the festival concludes.

Inspired guests can head over the KidsZone and community participation mural area, where kids and adults can get in on the artsy fun. Participation in the KidsZone and community participation areas is FREE and pastel chalk and artist instruction will be provided at no cost.

The festival offers an opportunity for fans to take home their favorite piece. From Saturday, April 29 through Thursday, May 4, the public will have the chance to vote on their favorite mural on each shopping center’s website. One lucky fan per venue will win the mural they vote for.

Murals that are not snagged up by voters will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Vestar Branch, where the murals will line the walls of the Club for years to come.

Chalk artists and their murals will be located throughout The District at Tempe Marketplace and Desert Ridge, and throughout WaterDance Plaza at Westgate Entertainment District. For more information about the Chalk Art Festival, visit shopdesertridge.com, tempemarketplace.com and westgateaz.com.