It was a celebration of inspiration and all things art and autumn as nearly 2,000 people gathered at Skye Canyon Park on Saturday, Sept. 28 for Chalk + Cheers.
This year’s event included our third annual juried chalk art competition where 45 artists competed for top honors in the high school, amateur, and professional categories. Chalk art competitors interpreted the contest theme, “Inspire-Be-Inspired.” The competition was fierce with top-notch talent in every field, inspiring attendees of all ages. Guests were impressed with the quality of art, many taking photos and videos of the artists at work. Kids looked on in awe and then took that creative motivation straight to the freestyle chalk art area where they let their imaginations run wild.
Haylo Jugler’s detailed illustration of a horse and American flag was so extraordinary, it earned her the People’s Choice Award, Best 3D Piece, and third place in the Professional category. Other winners include Joe Christenson, whose colorful illustration of Mount Rushmore earned him first place in the Professional category and the award for Best Use of Color.
This year’s winners are:
People’s Choice, $300 prize Haylo Jugler
Best Use of Color, $100 prize Joe Christenson
Best 3D Piece, $100 prize Haylo Jugler
| Professional | Amateur | High School | |
| First Place, $250 prize | Joe Christenson | Jamie Okazaki | Maliyah Williams |
| Second Place, $100 prize | Brittney Price | Bryana Large | Rachel Cox |
| Third Place, $50 prize | Haylo Jugler | Rebecca Keenan | Jeremy Metzel |
Internationally acclaimed artist and co-founder of We Talk Chalk Melanie Stimmel Van Latum created a 300 square-foot interactive 3D art installation. The piece depicted a canyon scene, rock climber and a tightrope, and created an Instagram moment for attendees who had fun posing on the tightrope or peering “over the edge” of the canyon walls.
Las Vegas’ art community showed off its creations at the art vendor village, which gave attendees a chance to get a jump start on holiday shopping. There was everything from bohemian jewelry to one-of-a-kind woodturning designs. Big Dog’s Brewery hosted a craft beer bar in which 25 percent of alcohol purchases went to Skye Serves’ charitable initiatives. Attendees also enjoyed live music and food from local food trucks.
Children had a ball in the newly expanded kids’ activity zone complete with a freestyle chalk art area, face & hair painting, water tattoos, games, and a giant slide.
Bringing the Las Vegas community together to celebrate art and the start of autumn, this year’s Chalk + Cheers was an inspired event. Stay tuned for our next Fit Lives Here event, Pray for Snow, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019.