Photo by Justin Rudd

As if you aren’t excited enough already for all that October’s arts month has to offer, like councilwoman Lena Gonzalez recruiting local artists to decorate her office or the Arts Council for Long Beach’s A Lot Initiative, coming up on October 18 is Belmont Shore’s 11th Annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest. The event is free for artists and viewers, with sixty openings remaining for artists who want to participate. Head to 2nd St. from 9:00AM to 4:00PM to catch the artists in action.

Those looking to view the unbelievable talent of more than 125 established and emerging visual artists, as well as participants from local high school and universities, head down to Belmont Shore as early as 9:00AM to watch 2nd St. transform into an outside art gallery. Gathered mostly between Roycroft Ave. and La Verne Ave., artists will also be displaying their paintings, drawings and other creations for sale alongside the chalk pieces.

Presented by Justin Rudd and his nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT), cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded for Best in Show: $350, 1st Place: $250, 2nd Place: $150, Honorable Mentions: five awards of $50 each and Director’s Awards: $50 to $100 each. Winners of last year’s contest were Best in Show: David Gilmore, 1st Place: Shuji Nishimura, 2nd Place: Lori Escalara and Director’s Award $50: Moe Notsu.

In an effort to assist with event costs, CAT is encouraging businesses, clubs, organizations and individuals to sponsor artists’ spaces for $25. For each sponsorship, CAT will place the name of the sponsoring business, group or individual on a small sign on the ground at an artist’s work area.

If you’re an artist, click here to register. Entry, pastels, drawing paper and a pizza lunch will be provided for those aged eighteen and older, while participants sixteen and seventeen years old can participate for a fee of $20. The minimum age to participate is sixteen years old.