Downtown Las Cruces to Hold Chalk Art Competition

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Downtown Las Cruces Partnership will hold a one-day chalk art competition on April 28 on Main Street in downtown Las Cruces from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Going by the title “AvenueArt New Mexico,” this new event will feature dozens of artists covering Main Street with chalk paintings. Student and professional artists will compete in different categories for cash prizes, and for the “Audience Favorite” award. There will be a supervised area for children to draw, so families are encouraged to attend.

There will be two categories: a youth/student category for those under age 24, and an adult/professional category for participants age 24 and older.

The event was created by local artist and award-winning street painter Bob Diven and the Downtown Las Cruces Partnership. Participants will use chalk to paint on the newly re-opened Main Street in downtown Las Cruces.

The event is open to all artists living in New Mexico and West Texas. There is no charge for participating artists, but entry is competitive, and artists must complete an application and submit five samples of their previous work (the previous work need not be street art, but should represent the artist’s capabilities) as well as a sketch of the artwork they propose to create for the event. Team entries are encouraged.

*         All day event
*         Three featured artists
*         Free to artists
*         Artists can work in teams
*         Kid’s area
*         Cash prizes
*         Juried event
*         Deadline to apply is March 23

For more information about AvenueArt New Mexico, go to www.downtownlascruces.net, or call 575-525-1955.