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ADD TO CALENDARJuly 11-12, 2026
The Fort Wayne Museum of Art Chalk Walk has been a trademark event held on Main Street in downtown Fort Wayne since 2000. The event is based on an Italian tradition of street painting that dates to the 16th century, known as i madonnari (street painters). Using pastels, artists of varying levels of experience may choose to reproduce existing artworks or create their own in their designated square. The event typically draws 40,000 people to see the spectacle unfold.
Registration will open in early April through forms which will be linked below!
4×4′ Square – Keep an eye out for sign ups in April 2027!
8×8′ Square – Keep an eye out for sign ups in April 2027!
If you would like to be added to the Waitlist, the form will be here.
As it is every year, our goal is to draw the city’s most creative citizens together to contribute to the largest community art project in the region, attracting families, friends, and supporters of a vibrant cultural life in Fort Wayne!
Please note: We do not give refunds. If you are unable to keep your square after registration, please consider your fee a donation to FWMoA, a non-profit organization. If you would like to be on a waitlist, please fill out this form here (coming soon).
For a limited time only! Purchase a 2026 Chalk Walk souvenir t-shirt at the Paradigm Gallery for $20. Limited sizes and amounts available, so stop in and grab one quick!
2026 Award Categories
- Best Use of a Street/Sidewalk Blemish
Imperfections in the pavement are a part of Chalk Walk! How will you deal with the imperfections of your square in a creative way? - Trompe l’oeil
French for “fool the eye”, trompe l’oeil drawings utilize 3D drawing techniques that fool the viewer by making the drawing seem like it’s a part of real life. - Favorite Art Genre (Pop, Surrealism, Impressionism, Renaissance, Cubism, etc.)
- Birds of a Feather
Our feathered friends in the Hoosier state are asking for some Chalk Walk love! Show us your favorite Indiana bird(s). - Candyland: A Sweet Escape on Main Street
Design your own land of sweets from your wildest dreams! - America @ 250
This year, our country marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Show us illustrious figures or pivotal moments from the last 250 years. - Classic American Literature
Think of the classics that have stood the test of time: Charlotte’s Web, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Call of the Wild, Moby Dick, and so many more that have enlivened our imaginations for generations. - People’s Choice
The public votes for this one on Sunday! - Best Square by an Artist Under 12
Are you a young chalker? Compete in this category for a chance to win $50!
For any questions, please call FWMoA Events Coordinator Emily Uphoff at 260-422-6467 or [email protected].
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!
Title Sponsor, Activity Tent, Entertainment, and Water Bottle Sponsor
Street Sponsors
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Drumroll please… 🥁 The Chalk Walk 2026, presented by Partners 1st, award winners are finally here! 🎉
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- Congratulations to Matilda Radcliff, the 2026 People’s Choice award recipient. Her exceptional artwork featuring a bald eagle snatching a fish from the water in front of a stunning sunset stretched 18 feet wide! The public was impressed by her talent, even on Saturday as she worked on her piece, and voted accordingly. Well done Matilda and thank you for all your chalking efforts!
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- When life gives you street cracks, make Liberty Bell art! 🔔🎉 Luke Laughlin, the 2026 Best Use of a Street/Sidewalk Blemish winner, turned his randomly assigned square’s flaw into a masterpiece inspired by America @ 250. Congratulations Luke and fantastic work!
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- When you’re an architecture firm you know how to make flat drawings turn 3D! The team at Elevantus Architecture, Zach Macke, Kourtney Teegardin, Ali Bowersock, Nicholas Bloom, Laura Putman, and Jacob Chavez, worked to make this rolled draft sheet of The Bradley really pop off the pavement, enough to be the Chalk Walk 2026 Trompe l’oeil category winner! Great job team!
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- Whoa, talk about a masterpiece… TIMES TWO! 🤯 Chalker Avery Edwards went from dark to light to create a spot-on recreation of Michelangelo’s iconic “Pietà” marble statue, created in 1498/99. We particularly love the hand of Jesus “breaking” the square. Avery’s efforts nabbed her the Favorite Art Genre award of Chalk Walk 2026, as well as quite a few people’s choice votes!
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- Tweet Tweet bird lovers! 🐦 This year’s Birds of a Feather category was a real hoot, but Bridget O’Brien flew away with the prize! Great blue herons, cardinals, blue jays, and more – should we get this flock together again soon? Congratulations Bridget!
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- Kat Vachon & Lizzie Low have major sweet skills because they transformed Main Street into a Candyland that’s so sweet, it’ll give you a toothache! Those lollypops and candy canes are so realistic, we’re tempted to grab a handful! Great job, team! 🍭🎉
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- This year, our country marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Who was the first signer but John Hancock, immortalized here by the America @ 250 award winner Sarah Meyer! We salute your efforts in creating this fantastic square and celebrating our 250th anniversary as a country! 🎂
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- For the next 250 years, which American classics will continue to captivate us beyond with our modern attention span? Many this year were inspired to create tributes to The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but it was Vanessa Navarro’s exquisite portrait of Daisy Buchanan, illuminated by the enigmatic green light, that truly mesmerized us and took home the Classic American Literature award! 🎉😍
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- Chalkers of all ages and skills participate in Chalk Walk but we do like to highlight those young chalkers and their dedication to art! This year Finn Guntle’s gingerbread man is having a no-good-very-bad-day, but Finn’s skills are on point! They took home the prize for Best Square by an Artist Under 12 – talk about a sweet win! 🎉