Every February downtown Lake Worth hosts the wonderful street painting festival. We have been in attendance since Evie was a little baby in a carrier. It is a fun weekend were lots of artist and schools will color the two main downtown streets with wonderful chalk art. All the resturants are open, music is playing and there a small little lemonade and snack shops. We normally atttened on Sundays when most of the art was done, or almost done. I had never really thought to participate until the last couple years when we started to miss them. Evie always had a big gymnastics competition on that weekend, on the other coast.
Then she switches gyms and her competitions started in the fall. The February 2025 weekend was finally open! I picked one of my artworks and submitted an application. I did not know what to expect. It was many months later and almost a shock when I was accepted. Then I had to plan to do a thing I have never done before!!! It is not sidewalk chalk outline, this was a full chalk art-piece on the road!
I arrived early that Saturday morning. I am always a little anxious when I am alone and new and not already sure of what is expected of me, or who I am supposed to talk to, or if I have everything I might need. I showed up to check in and they provided you with a cup of tempera paint and chalk options as well as some snacks. And then I made my way to my spot. First you have to clean your section of road. It’s not filthy, but there is dirt a little rocks, Next time I will bring a broom. All my neighboring squares had brought husbands/partners/family with them and one of them came and swept for me becuase I was brushing it off with on of my big painting brushes.
I was prepared with a roller and pan and extra tempera paint, which is what we prep the road with. I did not bring a roller stick, which some other had, but I probably still won’t. I was not a perfectionist as most who were taping off their space. Who would have thought that I could ever say, I was not being a perfectionist. I was ready and sketching within a couple hours, while some were still prepping.
I started working!! My colors were really vibrant, just how I like it.
Some preparedness tips that I would recommend:
- I brought gloves, thanks to donations. You will not stay clean, but wearing a glove on my blending hand, made it easy to remove and have clean fingers.
- I also brought baby wipe for easily clean up for the fingers.
- I have a couple brushes and sponges for blending, but found that I preferred to use my hands.
- I brought some garden mats for my knees, but the best thing was a huge old pillow. I could sit on it, lay down, kneel or position myself anyway.
- Little plastic containers to throw my chalk color selections.
- Comfortable clothes, because it was going to get warm. I actually wore a bathing suit under loose clothes. I also had a neck fan, hat and sunscreen.
- Bring plenty to drink and snacks!
I also brought a drop cloth. I did not bring masking tape and I had to walk to a local pharmacy and over spend on tape, but now I know. The drop cloth and tape was to cover the art for a night incase it rained or from dew. It was accidental that I had a clean plastic drop cloth, but I am glad I did. Some people brought black or tarps and when they covered, the art was gone. With my cover, you could still see part of the way though! I was almost done too. I probably could have stayed and finished that day, but with my bad joints, I did not.
I retutned on Sunday and removed the plastic and went back to it!! I definetly want to be there on Sundays, becuase that is when the majority of friends stopped by. I always loved to chat with friends and even strangers. Once the anxiety of showing up is gone, the rest is amazing!!
I just signed up for the 2026 Lake Worth Street Painting Festival. Fingers and toes crossed for that acceptance email. I submitted another of my watercolor flowers to recreate. Stay tuned for updates.
Here are the dew drop petals from 2025.
