Downtown SLO’s inaugural Paint the Plaza Chalk Festival will happen on Saturday, Sept. 19 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and the organization is calling on sponsors and artists to start signing up now. The event is an offshoot of the long-running I Madonnari festival, itself inspired by a tradition dating to 16th century Italy, where street painters would travel from town to town creating vivid pastel murals, often of the Madonna.
“Downtown SLO invites local artists, schools, families, and businesses to transform Mission Plaza into a vibrant and colorful artwork space for the community to enjoy,” they announced. “This inclusive community-centered chalk art festival will celebrate and showcase the vibrant arts community of the Central Coast.
Once created, the artwork will remain in Mission Plaza through Sunday, Sept. 20. Sponsors can buy large squares (6 by 6 feet) for $500 or medium rectangles (4 by 5 feet) for $250. Sponsors can be paired with an artist who’ll handle all the painting or find their own artist. These squares will have printed labels with the sponsor’s name across the top.
Mini squares (3 by 3 feet) are available for $25 each and will be located on the Broad Street dogleg, between Monterey and Palm. Purchasers simply show up and create. Learn more at downtownslo.com/events/paint-the-plaza. Δ
This article appears in June 25 – July 2, 2026.
