Chalk it up brings beautiful drawings to Downtown Duluth area

Local and visiting artists gathered for a Chalk It Up art event in Downtown Duluth and Canal Park to help beautify the city.

Artists are creating colorful chalk art across downtown Duluth as part of this year’s Chalk It Up Festival, despite the rain. Duluth Parks and Recreation and several Canal Park businesses invited residents to create chalk art across downtown. One artist shared tips for making chalk creations last through the rain.

For many families, sidewalk chalk is a summertime tradition. For professional chalk artists like Geniusz, it is also a way to create large-scale public art.

“It’s really exciting. It’s Duluth kind of making like a prototype for their first chalk fest,” Geniusz said. “We’ve got a few professionals in from out of town and myself.”

By using high-pigment chalk and special chalk paints, artists can make vibrant designs that last longer than regular chalk.

“What’s really special about it is its temporary art form. It’s been made very popular with social media. So like giant holes in the ground that people trip on. Those are really, really popular,” Geniusz said. “It’s fun for festivals because it gets people out. It gets people to the place because you have to be there if you want to see it in person.”

In addition to Canal Park, displays can be found near the Duluth Depot and the Duluth Public Library. Organizers say the event is part of a broader effort to create opportunities for people to connect with their community.

Allison Brooks, project coordinator for Duluth Parks and Recreation, said Chalk It Up is just one of many programs designed to bring people together throughout the year.

“Our summer programs have been busy, busy for the past few months,” Brooks said. “Now that school is starting up here in a couple weeks, things are wrapping up.”

Brooks added that the city offers these different programs where residents can connect and grow stronger bonds within their neighborhoods.

“We’ve still got some great programs. We’ve got our story in play, always draws a crowd,” Brooks said. “Pop-up play where we go around to different neighborhood parks and people can come out and it’s a whole family affair. It’s very fun.”

Even though the city’s summer recreation events are coming to an end, there is still plenty of exciting fun in the near future.

“Our fall brochure will be coming out in just a couple weeks. Fhat will have everything,” Brooks said. “All of the fun activities like the glow hike on Waabizheshikana. That’s been very fun for the past few years.”

Chalk It Up continues Aug. 16th from 10am-3pm. Many businesses in Canal Park will also be chalking or have chalk available for people to create art.

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