SAVE THE DATE FOR 2023: September 9 & 10! 

Let’s Chalk is a free, two-day street art festival with live music, food, and fun for everyone!

Featuring street art by professionals, local amateurs, and art enthusiasts from all over the world. The artists will be creating their masterpieces Saturday and Sunday (October 22-23) on Walnut & 3rd Street in Downtown Monticello! Join us from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day as we watch professionals turn our roadways into works of art!

Event Parking Information

Walnut Street will be closed from 3rd Street to West Broadway, and a portion of 3rd Street will be closed from Walnut to the Christensen Group Insurance parking entrance. The roads will be closed beginning Friday afternoon (Oct. 21) for event set up and remain closed until Sunday evening (Oct. 23). We ask that you please use caution and follow the detour signs.

Please refrain from parking in business and residential spaces. Event parking is available in the lots near Cargill, Schlenner Wenner, the Monticello Help Center/Laestadian Lutheran. Public Parking is also available further down Walnut Street, located near the Monticello Community Center, Public Library and CUB Foods. See map below for more information.

2022 Featured Artists

Shawn McCann

As an artist, Shawn McCann is one who loves to explore the relationship of art, space, and interaction. Having graduated the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a BFA, Shawn has grown into a multi-media, multi-disciplinary artist whose work explores color, texture, form, and content. This approach has led to the many areas in which Shawn’s work has encompassed including; street painting, murals, fine art, children’s books, installation art, temporary and permanent art and commercial illustration.

He has been featured at numerous street painting festivals throughout the us and overseas and has worked on projects such as exhibition sized pieces and corporate clients. His work has won numerous awards, been an NEA grant recipient, and is held in private and public collections, and has also been featured twice at the LA Times Festival of Books as a featured illustrator. Shawn was one of the few American artists chosen to participate in the Dubai Canvas, one of the most prestigious street art festivals in the world, and currently organizes six street art festivals throughout the Midwest.

Nate Baranowski

Famed street artist Nate Baranowski is one of the top 3D street artists in the world and has been featured in festivals including Dubai Canvas in United Arab Emirates, International Festival of the Arts at Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, Chalktoberfest, Venice Chalk Festival and many more to count. 

Nate is a street painter, muralist, and fine artist based in Chicago, IL. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where his passion for street painting began. Nate is a versatile artist experienced with a range of mediums, including large chalk murals, indoor and outdoor painted murals, acrylic on canvas, and various forms of digital painting and concept art. He specializes in creating 3D artwork that looks like it pops right out of the ground or wall. From temporary installations to permanent painted murals, Nate can add a splash of creativity to any environment. We are excited to have Nate join us as we kick off this first year of the chalk festival and can't wait to see what he creates for us!

Marisa Alvarado

All the way from New Jersey, Marisa Alvarado is a chalk artist, art teacher, and photographer and is going to really transform the street into something magical! She has chalked in festivals all over the country, including the International Festival of Arts at Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, Borderline Chalkfest and more. We are excited to welcome her to Minnesota! 

Allison Severson

Allison Severson is one of the best in the Twin Cities and we are honored to have her bring her creativity and talent to Monticello! Allison has been creating amazing works of art all over the U.S. Allison is a resident of St. Paul and has been an artist her whole life. Being an illustrator and chalk artist, you can see the story that goes into each piece she creates!

Sandy Forseth

Sandy Forseth is a professional mandala maker and creates these masterpieces for all to enjoy. You will be able to find a spot on the mandala once its been created and help fill in the color. The public art mandala's are one of the main features of many chalk festivals and we are happy that Sandy is bringing her magic to Let's Chalk! This activity is for all ages!

LeAnna Wurzer

Introducing Minnesota's own in LeAnna Wurzer! LeAnna is a rock star artist from Delando that has been creating fine art and chalk art masterpieces for years. She was recently in Marietta, GA participating in one of the largest street art festivals in the nation! It will be wonderful to see what she brings to Monticello!

Erika Lalita

Another East Coast talent joining us from Pennsylvania is Erika Lalita of Sylphart Studios! Erika has been creating chalk art all over the country and creates pieces that are full of luscious color and flow. We’re sure she will be coming up with something show-stopping and can’t wait to see what it is!