Chalk It Up! 2025 — A Groovy Day for Sidewalk Art in Hendersonville

Downtown Hendersonville’s annual “Chalk It Up!” turned Main Street into a sprawling open-air gallery on Saturday, July 12, 2025, showcasing chalk drawings from over 150 artists spanning preschoolers to seasoned professionals. The event, founded by Barbara Hughes of Narnia Studios, has been a vibrant highlight of the community for decades

Artists began at 9 a.m., armed with 20 vivid chalk colors, transforming blank concrete into stunning artwork until the next rain came along — with rain dates scheduled for July 19 and 26.

The Award Ceremony — A Day of Celebration

The contest crowned winners across several youth age groups (5 & under, 6–8, 9–12, 13–20, 21 & over), each with five prize recipients sourced from local merchants

In the professional category, only one prize—Best of Show—is awarded, selected by the event’s judges. This year, Katie Weathers claimed that honor, her chalk masterpiece earning top distinction among seasoned artists

Barbara Hughes, the creative force behind “Chalk It Up!”, was on hand to present the awards, celebrating Katie’s stunning achievement and the event’s enduring charm as a beloved community tradition.

A Legacy of Creativity and Community

Since its inception in 1996 by Barbara Hughes—owner of Narnia Studios at 408 N. Main St.—“Chalk It Up!” has grown into one of the nation’s oldest and largest chalk art festivals. It draws artists aged 5 to 75+, and even older, reflecting its broad appeal.

Each year, the event gives hundreds of artists the chance to claim their own slice of Main Street as a canvas, transforming pavements into vivid expressions of creativity. The fact that chalk art is ephemeral—living only until the next rainfall—adds to its magic and communal experience.

Congratulations to Katie Weathers!

Katie’s recognition as Best of Show in the professional division is a testament to her talent, vision, and dedication. In standing tall among her peers, she has captured the spirit of Chalk It Up’s creative legacy. We can only imagine the delight of folks strolling down Hendersonville’s sidewalks, discovering her work brightening the day.

Here are the winners:

• 5 and under: Theodore Binford, Dolly Scholz, Elizabeth Gessler, Jona Gessler, Penn Selph
• 6-8 years old: Annabelle Binford, Paxton Selph, Anna Bowen Mitchell, Frankie Losada, Belle Bernier
• 9-12 years old: Magnolia Mitchell, Parker Wagner, Maliyah Curry, Brianna Gessler, Abishai Gessler
• 13-20 years old: Jillian Hooper, Elijah Dugdale, Montgomery Alexander, Lillian Middlebrook, Olivia Gessler
• 21 and up: Julia Staalman, Cody Hughes, Daniel Gessler, Rachel Benney, Katie Dugdale
• Professional: Katie Weathers