The Making of 27 Masterpieces at Denver Chalk Art Festival 2016

Each year, we talk about how much we love the Denver Chalk Art Festival. But for 2016's version, which happened on June 4 and 5, we took a look at the fest from a different angle. Typically, we visit on Sundays — the second of the annual two-day event in...

By Michael Roberts

June 6, 2016

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Each year, we talk about how much we love the Denver Chalk Art Festival.

But for 2016's version, which happened on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5, we took a look at the fest from a different angle.

Typically, we visit on Sundays — the second of the annual two-day event in Larimer Square — when most of the pieces are finished.

This time, however, we stopped by at around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, when the temperatures were cooler (a little, anyhow), the crowds not quite as thick (giving folks who don't look like basketball players a better chance to see), and most of the artworks still in progress.

The results offered a fresh take on one of Denver's best events — one that just happens to be free.

Check out 27 photos of masterpieces in the making, with a few all-but-finished products thrown in for fun.

Continue to see more masterpieces in the making from the 2016 Denver Chalk Art Festival.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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