KPort Chalkfest

The Town of Kennebunkport will host the second annual KPort Chalkfest the weekend of June 16th and 17th. This free, family event stems from the tradition of European 16th Century street art, chalk art festivals celebrate the long history of street painters who brought masterpieces to the masses with minimal materials. Attendees will become a part of the process and watch as national featured and local artists create colorful masterpieces using only chalk. Local and national featured artists will begin their works of art Saturday morning, June 16th, and national featured artists will be invited back Sunday to finalize their pieces. Artists this year will be inspired by the theme, “Come Sail Away.”

The event, a part of LAUNCH, will begin on Saturday morning, June 16th at 10 am as featured and local artists begin to chalk their designs onto the pavement at 32 North Street.  Featured artists will continue “painting” throughout the day on Sunday as they finalize their works.  The festival affords visitors the opportunity to watch the creative process unfold as pavement artists perform using the road surface as a canvas to develop oversized masterpieces in chalk. This year’s event will also feature bouncy houses, artist demonstrations and a children’s chalking area on both days from 10 am to 2 pm.  Picnic packs, featuring lobster rolls, hot dogs, and clam chowder will be available for purchase. 

Kennebunkport has been fortunate to attract national artists known for their work in previous festivals.  Featured artists will include Janet Tombros of Florida, Lisa Long Gaither of Raleigh, North Carolina, Katie Better of New York, New York, Erik Greenawalt of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Lee Mobly of Douglas, Georgia.

This year, local artists will also provide public demonstrations of their craft on Sunday.  At 11:00 am, Sheryl Gunn will demonstrate the art of wet felt soap, at 12:00 pm, Joyce Huff will showcase her skills in tole painting, and at 1:00 pm, Jennifer Zeiner will illustrate the art of fishing rope baskets.  All artists will also have their wares for sale that day.  

Event sponsors will have their logos in chalk showcased at the event and include Cape Porpoise Lobster, Chowder House, Port Lobster, Kennebunk Savings, Rhumbline Resort, Nonantum Resort, Sandy Pines Campground, The Boathouse Hotel and Restaurant, Alisson’s, The Clamshack and Sebago Brewing