Artists Transform Long Beach Sidewalks for Chalk Contest
More than 40 participants created sidewalk drawings on Second Street for the annual Belmont Shore event.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Painting
Live Poll
Do you believe local arts festivals like sidewalk chalk contests strengthen your community?
Professional artists and local students gathered in Long Beach to showcase their creativity during the annual Belmont Shore Chalk Art Contest. Participants decorated the sidewalks of Second Street with various portraits, animals, and characters.
Why it matters
The event serves as a long-standing tradition for the Belmont Shore community, bringing together diverse artists to engage with the public space.
More than 40 artists competed for a total of $1,000 in cash prizes distributed to the event winners. The competition features works from both professionals and local students.
The players
Justin Rudd
He is a prominent community organizer who hosted the event.
Community Action Team
This organization works to coordinate community-focused events and civic engagement projects.
Belmont Shore Business Association
This group represents local commercial interests and provided support for the annual sidewalk event.
The details
Artists utilized chalk to craft detailed murals along Second Street in front of local businesses. The event showcased a wide variety of subjects including detailed portraits, animals, and pop culture characters.
Timeline
The chalk art contest has occurred annually since 2004.
The most recent event took place on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
Culture Shift
This event continues the annual tradition established by the founding of the competition in 2004. It highlights the growing trend of community-led public art festivals that encourage local engagement.
Residents can enjoy the temporary sidewalk art murals along Second Street in the days following the event. The contest encourages community members to support local businesses while visiting the display area.
The takeaway
Public art events like this highlight how simple materials can revitalize local streetscapes and build community spirit. Implementing similar sidewalk art programs can be an effective way for neighborhoods to foster local pride and creative expression.
Further reading
Learn more about local creative displays in the Painting section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Press Telegram.
Live Poll
Do you believe local arts festivals like sidewalk chalk contests strengthen your community?
