SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA — The Savannah College of Art and Design proudly presents the 41st SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival, Saturday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., transforming Savannah’s scenic Forsyth Park into a dynamic technicolor landscape of nearly 800 chalk compositions as SCAD students, alumni, and local high school students sketch vibrant designs and compete for cash prizes.
"SCAD Sidewalk Arts is our university’s longest-running and most beloved festival," said SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace. "A perfect pairing of Savannah pavement and SCAD preeminence, this spring tradition enlivens the senses, awakens the creative spirit, and fosters an unrivaled joy that can only come from art. Chalk in hand, SCAD Bees transport festival goers to new worlds. Each new step is a new masterpiece, each work teeming with magic, vibrancy, and splendor. Come celebrate art shoulder-to-shoulder with classmates, alumni, faculty, friends, and neighbors under the sun-dappled oaks as we once again celebrate Savannah," said Wallace.
Prizes will be awarded across categories including Best of Show, SCAD Alumni Spirit, SCAD Student Spirit, Student Individual, Student Group, Graduate Student, and Alumni. This year introduces the SCAD Peace Award for the artwork that best incorporates iconography of peace; the SCAD Love Award, which best features imagery of adoration; and the SCAD Homage Award for the chalk artist who best replicates a painting by a renowned artist such as Monet or van Gogh using approved SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival materials.
In addition to the nearly 800 chalk designs, SCAD alumnae Juliana Lupacchino (B.F.A, fibers, 2017) and Sophie Tompkins (B.F.A., graphic design, 2016) will paint a mural live during the event. The festival will also include an installation of papier-mâché vases by SCAD graduate Trish Andersen (B.F.A., fibers, 2005).
Thousands of people, from SCAD faculty and staff to locals and visitors to the city, will venture downtown for this event, shop in local stores, and eat in local restaurants. This event, like so many of SCAD’s signature events, has a huge economic impact on Savannah. According to a study conducted by Tripp Umbach, the leading national consulting firm for not-for-profit, arts, and tourism sectors, SCAD generates $766.2 million in annual economic impact for the state of Georgia and $577 million annually for the city of Savannah.
Food vendors include Chick-fil-A, Leopold’s Ice Cream, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee & Smoothies, Roly Poly, and Savannah Square Pops.
This year’s SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival is sponsored by Coca-Cola, Visit Savannah, Folletts, Yates-Astro, Brightview Landscaping, and Sunstates Security. Festival attendants are encouraged to share their imagination and creativity through Instagram using #SCADChalk.
SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university, offering more than 100 graduate and undergraduate degree programs across locations in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Lacoste, France; and online via SCADnow.