Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival poster
"Chocolate Moose" chalk art by Jennifer Wang 2009

Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival

Saturday, June 5, 2010 10am-5pm
North Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley.

Take BART to downtown Berkeley and walk north six blocks or ride your bike! Event Parking $5 at Berkeley Arts Magnet School to benefit the PTA. Enter on Lincoln at Milvia St.

Chalk Art Contest!
Eat Chocolate!
Free Admission.

Make Chalk Art!
Eat Chocolate Goodies!
Schedule and Entertainers
Vendor Booths
Businesses: How to add to the chocolate menu
Businesses: Chalk Art on Your Sidewalk
Sponsors: Sponsor the festival
Vendors: Vendor info
Press: PRs PSAs

Chalk Art Contest 2010
1st Prize Winner

Chocolate: An Ancient Treat by Athena Lorente

See all the 2010 chalk art contest winners >

My piece shows a “Danzante” from Oaxaca, Mexico. His outfit and dance tells the story of the conquest, by Hernan Cortez, of the state of Oaxaca. The conquest caused the different indigenous groups living in the area to eventually collapse; yet they learned to love each other. The Woman is dressed in another indigenous costume, and is carrying a basket full of souvenirs to share with the other indigenous groups. Chocolate has been consumed by Mexican tribes since ancient times. Chocolate was exported from the Americas by the Europeans and then commercialized. In Mexico, chocolate is still consumed as in ancient times. It is used for hot drinks, to cook meals such as molé, and to present as offerings to our ancestors. Chocolate is always present in our most important events. Today there are about 16 different indigenous groups and about 52 different dialects plus Spanish in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. These ancient tribes share and carry their traditions with pride.

Athena Lorente, First Place Winner, 2010 Chocolate and Chalk Art Contest, Berkeley, CA

The sidewalks along North Shattuck Ave. in the Gourmet Ghetto in Berkeley are the target of artists young and old, professional and greenhorn during the 14th annual CHOCOLATE & CHALK ART FESTIVAL on Saturday, June 5.

With no fees to artists, areas of sidewalk will be assigned to participants to create their own fanciful chalk drawings. A CHALK ART CONTEST for the best drawing will be judged after 4 p.m. Winners will be notified the following day. First prize is $250 with $25 gift certificates awarded for runners up. Same-day registration takes place 10AM-5PM in event booths located along North Shattuck Ave. Artist's chalk is available for a fee.

Art Nouveau Woman chalk art by Natasha Robinson

For CHOCOLATE SAMPLING start by purchasing a packet of tickets (10 for $10) at any of the registration sites. The to-go menu features organic café mocha, chocolate mochi ice cream, chocolate truffles as well as savory chocolate mole, spicy chocolate tandori chicken, or the weirder chocolate foot massage! Spend your tickets on these delights in the businesses in the district.

Vendors with chocolate-related items and hand made arts & crafts fill the Farmer’s Market area, music fills the air, clown’s laughter fills your heart, and many more surprises fill your senses as you stroll along the sidewalks viewing the artwork that remains in place for the next two weeks. See last year's chalk art contest winners. This is a family-friendly, non-alcoholic event with an upscale demographic. Special Event Hotel Rates: www.VisitBerkeley.com

Kids sidewalk art