The 19th annual Chalk the Walk, Iowa’s largest-ever Madonnari Festival, returns this weekend in uptown Mount Vernon. Artists will be working on their pieces in uptown Mount Vernon from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5.
The large community piece this year will be “Frida Kahlo with Parrot” created by artist Alina Dalinina from Zhytomyr, Ukraine, and will be recreated live on the streets of Mount Vernon over a two-day period by dozens of festival-goers.
The image, inspired by self portraits created by Frida Kahlo during her lifetime, will be recreated in chalk mural form approximately 34’ x 44’ on Mount Vernon’s historic First Street. For a $10 donation to the event, artists of all ages, skill-levels and experiences will each use pure pigment pastel chalk sticks to create an assigned 2’ x 2’ square of the mural.
This year’s event also will feature the work of dozens of artists creating original art in 8’ by 10’ rectangles chalked directly onto Mount Vernon’s historic First Street. Last year’s first place winner, Elizabeth Niemczyk, has been invited back to the event as the 2024 featured artist. Outdoor food vendors and musicians will be on hand throughout both days of the event.
More than $1,375 in cash prizes will be awarded to chalk artists this year, with a formal check presentation ceremony to take place Sunday, May 5.
Chalk the Walk is based on an original art form that began in Italy in the 16th century. Called Madonnari, this form of public art was originally done by street artists hoping to collect coins from passersby. Images back then were based on religious themes, and as the Madonna was a popular subject, the artists became known as the “Madonnari.”
Street closures
Street closures will begin at 5 a.m. Saturday May 4, with First Street from A Avenue to Third Avenue being closed until 8 p.m. Sunday, May 5. Second Avenue South (from Bauman’s to the alley next to Night Shift) and Second Avenue North (from Lincoln Wine Bar to the alley) will close at 5 a.m. Saturday and not reopen until Sunday, May 5 at 8 p.m.
New this year – The children’s art area is being moved from the area between the old Mount Vernon Fire Station and Mount Vernon City Hall to the street in front of First Street Community Center.
Concrete barricades will be placed on First Street at A Avenue, Second Avenue, and around the driveway at Iron Leaf Press and Little Scratch on the east side of First Street; and at the bottom of the City Hall parking lot on the west side of City Hall. Third Avenue, B Avenue and Hwy. 1 will remain open throughout the festival.
No parking signs will be set out late Friday afternoon in uptown to remind everyone of the festival and parking restrictions in uptown.

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Elizabeth Niemczyk works on her first place finishing piece at 2023’s Chalk the Walk. Niemczyk will be returning as the 2024 featured artist at Chalk the Walk this year.