Chalk it up to Summerlin

The Summerlin Art Festival returns with more than 100 fine artists and craftsmen this month at Summerlin Centre Community Park.

Besides the broad variety of artwork on display along with live art demonstrations and stage performances, this year children will have a new piece of hands-on fun thanks to Discovery Children’s Museum.

“We thought it made perfect sense for the museum to be involved with the chalk art component of the festival,” said Danielle Bisterfeldt, Summerlin marketing director. “The interactive chalk art area of the festival is very popular, so we are confident those who participate this year will appreciate that the nominal participation fee goes directly to Discovery Children’s Museum. Plus, the museum brings an art expertise to the chalk art component we haven’t had before. It’s a great partnership.”

There will be opportunities to create individual chalk drawings for fun and competition. And museum art specialists will oversee a group mural that children can help create during the two-day festival.

“We are thrilled to expand the museum’s participation at the festival by adding to the fun and educational activities we’ve offered in the Art Festival’s Children’s Pavilion,” said Denyce Tuller, marketing and public relations director for Discovery Children’s Museum. “We are excited to add a new group mural as an optional activity for children. This year, budding artists and doodlers alike can work together to create a chalk art masterpiece for everyone to see.”

Children can participate in the public drawing area and group mural for $10.

Children and adults must register for the annual chalk art competition by going to summerlin.com and clicking on Community Events.

For a minimum donation individuals and groups can vie for prizes including passes to the museum and Visa gift cards. Participants can begin drawing at 9 a.m. Oct. 12. Judges will announce the winners at 3 p.m. the following day.

Returning to the interactive chalk art exhibit is fan favorite expert chalk artist Donovan Fitzgerald, owner of Fitzgerald Artworks. He will create a reproduction of a classical art piece using the sidewalk as his canvas throughout the two-day event.

The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 and 13 at Summerlin Centre Community Park on South Town Center Drive between Charleston Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. Visit summerlin.com for the full festival schedule.