More than 400 students in the Southern Illinois area are hoping to participate in the Southern Illinois University of Carbondale’s (SIUC) second annual, in-person chalk art competition, titled ‘Chalkalypse,’ April 5. Of these students, some will be from Harrisburg High School (HHS) and Harrisburg Middle School (HMS).

HHS art teacher Emily Wallace and HMS art teacher Sara DeNeal will take students to participate in the competition.

“Upon arrival, students split into their teams, find their sidewalk square, and prep their materials,” Wallace said. “At the start time, all the students begin creating their chalk mural. The students have a set amount of time to finish their artwork before they break for lunch.”

All artwork is designed before competition day.

“To apply to go, students needed to get a team of 2-4 people together and create and present a design before being accepted,” Wallace said. “All the artwork must be related to the eclipse in some way. However, students have blown me away with the fun designs they have created that reference the eclipse in creative and beautiful ways.”

Once students have completed their work, it will be judged and scored appropriately.

“The high school awards include a first, second and third place along with an Overall Chalk-Eclipse Teacher’s Choice Award,” Wallace said. “The artworks will be judged on four points: best interpretation of the eclipse theme, original imagery, composition, and technical aspects.”

HHS senior and first-year SIUC chalk art competitor Chloe Hernandez, is both excited and a bit nervous about the competition.

“I have competed in chalk art competitions before, but previously I’ve only been to the HMS ones, so I feel like this will be a new environment for me,” Hernandez said. “The only thing I’m worried about is being in a new environment because I’ve never been to SIU before other than to march in a parade they had.”

HMS seventh grader and soon-to-be second-year SIUC chalk art competitor Jacalyn Trusty is also excited for the competition.

“I’m excited for the competition because I will get to talk with friends while working on a large chalk drawing,” Trusty said. “My least favorite [part] is being outside for a long amount of time, and my favorite part is getting to work on the art.”

The art can be viewed in person at SIUC for those who wish to support the local arts.

“We would love to share photos of the artwork after they are complete,” Wallace said. “Those wishing to view the artworks in person may come to Faner Hall on April 5 or the following days leading up to the eclipse.”