Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk 2025

This has to be the first time in the 14 years or so I’ve covered the Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk that I’ve taken this long to get the article out. I really try to cover weekend events on Mondays, but these days in Knoxville? Well, that’s about impossible when you have a major march, a marathon, a book festival and Chalk Walk on the same weekend. And that’s not to mention the news that pops up in the meantime, like an amazing new sculpture plaza; a literal outdoor art museum. This is no longer your Daddy’s Knoxville.

And Art Walk? The sprawling, spectacular burst of color that marks spring in the city spread throughout Krutch Park, along and across Market Street and just about everywhere in Market Square. Downtown swam with runners in tights, artists covered in chalk, protestors carrying signs, and a bunch of confused tourists wondering what this strange place must be where they landed.

Many of the artists and their support crews landed downtown very early, setting up and working as soon as allowed. Professional artists joined elementary students, girl scout troops, families, serious art enthusiasts, and folks just out for a lark on a sunny day. Serious plans were put into play while others followed a more free-form approach. What’s the worst that could happen? A little fun in the sun with a bunch of happy people? Not shabby.

Time called sharply at 5:00 pm, I grabbed my camera and step ladder to collect the images before they became worse for wear—and the rains obliterated them. Unfortunately, several near the bell were covered in those brown squiggly things that fall all about that area and some of that, trampled, became mounds of dirt. Urban Daughter and I brushed as much away as we could. Shadows also stretched over paintings and she helped block some of that and move others when possible. And on it goes. I did the best I could to record all of the work, give credit to the artists, and make it about as good as I know how.

While most people join in for the fun, there is a competition afoot and some of the artists are hoping to win or place in the various categories. A total of 15 categories, most with first through third place offer spots for those folks. I won’t detail all the awards here, but Ellie Phillips won “Best in Show” (Pictured at the very top of this article). You can see lots of the other winners pictured here, as well. For a full list of winners, go here and scroll down the page.

As is the case every year, there are lots of great pieces. I picked some of my favorites to enlarge here, but I’m including all 123 photographs below for you to enlarge (on a laptop, tablet, or PC) as you like. My favorites may not be your favorites.