By all accounts, Beaufort’s 2024 Chalk It Up! chalk art festival was a very successful event!  Lots of energy, lots of creativity, and lots of happy people who want to participate in next year’s Chalk It Up!

Even with the initial trepidation of rain on Saturday morning causing a slow start for artists who must be on their hands and knees to create what would become wonderful chalk art, popular local musician Walk Dean took to the stage to kick off the two-day festival on time.  And the music kept on playing throughout Saturday and Sunday, with Ashley Holland, Edward and Ryan, and the Deckhands Band.

Freedman Arts District’s festival organizers want to especially thank the many people and businesses who made Chalk It Up! a success.  

Nearly 100 volunteers were involved, including several Marines from area bases; plus 40 sponsors provided invaluable financial support; and more than 40 artists participated, including art students from USCB and SCAD, as well as students for Lady’s Island Middle School and Bridges Prep.  The aerial and ground photography services capturing the artists’ amazing art was all provided pro bono by SK Signs and 1111 Marcom.

And of course, no large public festival can happen without certain critical services, and the organizers are very appreciative of Capital Waste Services for providing free trash service.  A special thank you goes to the City of Beaufort police force who protected the chalk artwork overnight and notified organizers during the night that heavy winds were blowing away protective tarps.  

The festival team is already looking at the 2025 Spring calendar to plan the next Chalk It Up! and hope to create an even Bigger Success!