22nd Chalk Festival this weekend at the Cleveland Museum of Art turns sidewalks into works of art

CLEVELAND - Who doesn't love drawing with chalk on the sidewalk? This weekend your chalk creations can take their place alongside the sidewalk art of professional artists at Chalk Festival 2012.

It is the 22nd year for this annual end of summer event at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The walkways around the Fine Arts Garden are transformed into a colorful palette with art created by families, organizations, individuals and a group of professionals -- including artists Robin VanLear and Hector Catellanos-Lara.

VanLear is the artistic director of community arts for the museum.

"I love the Chalk Festival each year, not just because all of the images create such a vibrant quilt of color spilling down the South Side slope from the Thinker to the lagoon but also because it is such an egalitarian event where the art of a 5-year-old shares the pavement equally with that of their parents and professional street painters," said VanLear. "It is inspiring to all of us and an opportunity to admire all of the talent that Cleveland embraces."

Watching the artists and enjoying the musical entertainment is free. For participants, a large rectangle (about 3 inches by 4 inches) and a 24-color box of chalk is $16; a small (2 inches by 3 inches) rectangle and a 12-color box of chalk is $8.

Cash or checks only are accepted. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday -- rain or shine! For more information on Chalk Festival 2012, click here: http://www.clevelandart.org