Sandy artist Becky Hawley has spent years honing her skills as a painter,
creating works in oils, acrylics and watercolors. And with the Sandy Arts
Commission and the City of Sandy kicking off a chalk art contest in July,
Hawley gave that medium a try by putting the contest’s logo near the fountain
across from city hall.

“I found doing the logo on the sidewalk was a learning experience for me,”
she said. “I enjoyed doing the art and also learned using the chalk as a tool
on the rough concrete was completely different than trying to do chalk work
on paper.”

Other area artists can also get the chance to try their hand at it through the
contest, featuring the theme “Only Rain Down the Drain.” Organizers started
the event to help spread the message that whatever goes down the street
drains can have a dramatic impact on the area’s water. Some of the
potentially hazardous materials that do find their way down drains include
paint, pesticides, cleaning products, car fluids, dog feces and more.

“I can’t believe how many people don’t know the water drains into (Tickle)
Creek,” said Hawley, a member of the Sandy Arts Commission.

The contest is open to all ages and all artistic levels, with age categories for
grade school kids (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-9), high school
(grades 10-12) and adults (ages 18 and older). Artist’s applications are due
by Friday, June 21, including a drawing on paper that, if selected, will be
recreated in chalk on Sandy’s sidewalks on the weekend of July 6 and 7. The
grand prize is $150 with other prizes and awards for each category.

Hawley noted that families and neighbors are encouraged to come out and
see the different creations and vote for a “People’s Choice” award. She added
that they plan to do the contest again next year with a similar theme and will
hopefully continue with different themes beyond that.

“We would really like to see the art continue in a somewhat educational vein,”
Hawley said. “It’s just going to be fun to do.”

For more information, or to submit an application (please include your name,
age, grade, email and phone number), email chalkart@cityofsandy.com.