The Shelby Courthouse Square was alive with colors this past Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, as area artists of all ages applied their skills to concrete at Cleveland County Arts Council's Chalk Fest.

More than 80 participants spread out on the sidewalks around the historic Cleveland County Court Square in Shelby, many with family and friends nearby offering encouragement.

"It was wonderful for the event to be back this year," said Shearra Miller, president of the Arts Council. "We missed everyone last year but we're glad that we could host this fun community event. The artwork is outstanding, and the artists, working on their knees, creating such large drawings, are amazing. Most of the artists were from Cleveland County, but we had some folks from surrounding counties and South Carolina." The winners of this year's festival were:

Children's Division Winner - Elliot Lowery

Children's Division Honorable Mention - Claire Balkcom

Youth Division Winner - Daria McGinnis

Youth Division Honorable Mention - Jacey Grace Raduly

Adult Division Winner - Nathan Owens

Adult Division Honorable Mention - Cecil Norris

Group Division Winner - Sydney Champion & Randy Whitworth

Group Division Honorable Mention - Katrina Shauf, Sophia Christoforou, Maeven Gammon & Charlotte Ramaley

Prizes were $125 for best in the group category (two or more people), $100 for the adult category (age 18+), $50 for the youth category (age 11 - 17) and $25 for children's group (age 10 and under).

"It was great to have a community event that was done so well," said Mary Cabaniss, whose daughter, Carrie, was a participant.

Chalk Fest was hosted by the Cleveland County Arts Council in partnership with Uptown Shelby Association and was sponsored by Cleveland Animal Hospital.

The CCAC's annual Y'Art Sale was also held on one side of the Court Square on Saturday. Art supplies, fabric, frames and artwork that had been donated to the CCAC was then sold "yard sale" style.

"We plan to hold the Chalk Fest and the Y'Art Sale the same time next year," says Miller. "We invite everyone to start working on their designs for September 2022."

For more information about the Arts Council, visit www.ccartscouncil.org, and to view more photos of the chalk art visit the Council's Facebook page by searching for "Cleveland County Arts Council."