Students compete in sidewalk chalk competition

The courthouse square was alive with creativity as kindergarten through college students wielded their chalk for the ultimate artistic expression at the Third Annual Sidewalk Chalk Competition.

According to Dawn Wolf-Taylor, a board member of the Portales Arts Council, those in kindergarten through sixth grade were part of the free draw and were not eligible to compete for prizes.

"They can start figuring it out for when they're older," said Taylor.

This year's theme was science fiction so Ericka Necker, a student from Portales Junior High, decided to draw a fairy. A majority of the competitors were Eastern New Mexico University students.

"I feel like I have competition," said Necker of her rivals.

Jillian Holbert: Portales News-Tribune

Mikaela Runyan putting the finishing touches on her submission Saturday for the Third Annual Sidewalk Chalk Competition.

Each competitor was given high-quality chalk, a single square of pavement and three hours to produce a piece of art. Many came prepared to work sitting down and brought kneepads. They also used squirt bottles and rags as a method for erasing mistakes in their work.

Brandon Tinder, a sophomore at ENMU, had never worked with chalk before and found the new medium fun but challenging.

"I'm more of a graffiti artist," said Tinder, "so I use spray paint."

Some of the student organizations from ENMU used the event as an opportunity to raise money for different projects. The ENMU chapter of the National Speech Language Hearing Association sold muffins, cookies, and juice while the Mu Alpha Nu Anthropology Club made balloon animals.

Jillian Holbert: Portales News-Tribune

Ericka Necker working on her fairy Saturday at the Third Annual Sidewalk Chalk Competition.

ENMU brass musicians also came out to play in support of the artists.

"I think it's really great," said Jeff Gibson, an observer. "I like the music. I like how they're using every part of school resources and stuff to make it a cool event."

Using chalk was not the only challenge for the competitors. The elements provided some difficulties.

"The wind is kind of blowing some stray wood particles onto my drawing," said Mikaela Runyan, an ENMU freshman. "It's kind of sunny and I have some heliophobic tendencies."

Leslie, Albarran won $100 for third place, Mario Aguirre won $200 for second and Eduardo Alvarez won $300 for first place.