Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is happy to announce the 42nd annual Sidewalk Arts Festival on Saturday, April 22 in Forsyth Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This treasured tradition will transform scenic Forsyth Park into a kaleidoscope of nearly 800 colorful squares, where SCAD students, alumni, and local high school students will sketch vibrant chalk art designs and compete for cash prizes.

"The SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival has brought SCAD students, guests, and our Savannah neighbors together for more than four decades, a beloved celebration of the creative spirit that has Savannahans circling their calendars every year,” said SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace. "Like their apian counterparts pollinating the bright flowers of spring, our Bees chalk every color of the rainbow across the pathways of Forsyth Park. Pure exuberance, elevated and underfoot!”

Prizes will be given for Best of Show, SCAD Alumni Spirit, SCAD Student Spirit, Student Individual, Student Group, Graduate Student, and Alumni. Competitors will use materials approved for SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival entries.

In addition to the nearly 800 chalk designs, SCAD alumni artist Abigail Tankersley (B.F.A., fibers, 2022) will install a large, colorful sculpture on the left side of the park near the fountain which will appear to be weaving and traveling in and out of the ground. Tankersley uses breathtaking visuals and textures to represent the way challenges can be concurrently exciting, mysterious, and meaningful.

Thousands of people, including SCAD faculty and staff, local Savannahians, and visitors to the city will come downtown for this event, shop in local stores, and dine in local restaurants. This event, like so many of SCAD’s signature events, has a huge economic impact on Savannah. According to a 2019 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.

SCAD's elite performance ensemble, The Bee Sharps and SCAD alumnus and American Idol winner Candice Glover will perform a 90 minute concert starting at 1 p.m. featuring songs from legendary Georgia Black singing and songwriting legends like Gladys Knight, James Brown, and Outkast.

Food vendors include Chick-fil-A, Leopold’s Ice Cream, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee and Smoothies, Roly Poly, Java Burrito, Chazito’s, and Savannah Square Pops.

This year’s Sidewalk Arts Festival is sponsored by Savannah Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Bon Appetit, Collins Quarter, Ex Libris, Sunstates Security, First Transit, The Kicklighter Company, Yates-Astro, and Brightview Landscaping. Festival attendants are encouraged to share their imagination and creativity through Instagram using #SCADChalk.