#summersummit #3D #chalkart #chicagochalkchamp #summer2019
Tag: Chicago
Finished – sort of…?
NaperSettlement
Artist Faire
Naperville, IL
June 26-27, 2020!
That’s right, we’re doing it again! š
The rest of this post was from last year and the announcement that I’d be retiring my knees. It’s been nearly 9 months and I have little to no knee pain, so, we will do a few more and see how this goes.
See you soon! – Shaun
June 22,23 2019
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone of you that made it out to help me celebrate 10 years of amazing fun in the sun and chalk art illusions!
It has been an amazing run!
(Warning: lots of talk about me… sorry)
Iāve been featured at all the places I truly wanted to chalk and so many more than I even dreamed, from Chicago (Museums, John Hancock, Navy Pier, McCormick Place, Lollapalooza, State Street, Wrigley Field, the Drake, Michigan Ave, North Beach etc etc) to NYC (west village and Soho) to all the various states and festivals around America, to international, exotic locations like Egypt and Barbados.
Iāve been featured on multiple tv shows (even internationally), many local TV interviews, and on stage in front of nearly a million people at stadiums, theaters, conferences, schools and churches over 20 years.
I have made amazing friends along the way including a minister/art teacher/ chalk artist in the Philippines who I had the great privilege to encourage at a crucial moment in his life.
I have trained many many artists over the 20 years since I first became āaccidentally seriousā about chalking, including several youth speakers who have used chalk talks or āchalk rockā as an addition to their portfolio, several Chalk festival champions, prophetic worship artists, and a few chalk board artists and painter/muralists too.
Probably my favorite moments were when a young artist would see me working and Iād have a moment to connect with them the way only artists can connect to each other and watch as their eyes would light up with the realization that they arenāt entirely crazy or alone and that the pursuit of art is definitely worth while… even if you donāt get paid. (But best if you can also get paid)
All of that being said, many people will find this announcement troubling or disheartening. The fact is my knees canāt handle the work anymore, my heart is longing for something else, and my Father in Heaven has signaled that is time to move ahead.
Faith and I have discussed this change for a long time (years). We are excited about the change but sad in many ways as well. There may be some opportunities that arise sometime in the not so close future, where Iāll don the kneepads again, chalk in hand, walking in slow motion down a hot asphalt street with a look of determination in my eye… but until that day: June 22 and 23rd was YOUR FINAL OPPORTUNITY to come see me creating LIVE on pavement and get your own super fun, interactive photo with my art.
Btw- Yes Iāll keep posting art online. I just wonāt be doing public 3D chalk like this as my job anymore.
I want to assure you once again, you havenāt seen the last of my talent and havenāt seen the best of me either. There is always more beneath the surface than you see of my public postings.. much like the freehand illusions I have created in the last decade.
What creative tool will I wield next? (Something not using my knees so much I hope!)
Art to help Orphans
This original Art saved lives in Uganda.
This piece is 18″ x 24″. It features a moonlit seashore and a Nautilus shell.
One of my all time favorites inspired by another artist. Much love went into the creation and preservation of this piece.
It sold to a wonderful friend after I posted this:
#chalk and #pastel on #boguspaper a #rework of an #oldpiece from #2003 that #survived the #upheaval that has been #mylife these past 15 years. Gonna #auction it to help my #orphans in #uganda. (needed for basic food and shelter $700 immediately. This is monthly expense but truly need $1600 each month to do what is right for them and change their future… donations are not coming in. So, Art goes on Auction!)
Here I am presenting it to her:
Thank you Kaye for giving this special piece a wonderful home and for helping the cause!
The Ebenezer Orphanage is forever grateful for your contributions.
The bean on Navy Pier?
Progress shot… the beginnings of another freehand anamorphic 3D chalk drawing. I love doing this dance with the canvas… it’s where I feel in my element!
July 18th I brought a ChalkWalker(Tm) piece to Navy Pier and worked on many details as part of the entertainment for a large international corporate party. Here are some shots of that process and what it looked like at the Pier.
Paint the Pavement, A Chalk Art Fest, St. Charles | Events – Yelp
Shaun Hays, Chicago Chalk Champ will be creating a feature 3D chalk art masterpiece over Memorial Day Weekend for this new add-on festival to St Charles’ successful Fine Art Show.
As a part of our 20th Annual St. Charles Fine Art Show, we are adding another art event, “PAINT THE PAVEMENT” – A Chalk Art Fest – to our thriving downtown St. Charles district! We hope your students or artists you know will consider applying toā¦
ā Read on www.yelp.com/events/st-charles-paint-the-pavement-a-chalk-art-fest
Now Booking Events – 2018!
2017 was a superior year and 2018 promises to our best yet!
Chicago Chalk Champ, Shaun Hays, is looking to add 52 clients to the docket in 2018 and you can be one of them!
Past clients include Starbucks, Chipotle, Redbull, Lollapolooza, Macy’s, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Navy Pier, and hundreds more!
With 52 spaces this year and only a few of those spaces being actively pursued by Gold/Platinum Clients, we have a huge opportunity to expand into your market no matter your budget restrictions.
Don’t assume anything! Give us a call today with your idea/event info – leave the creativity up to us! We also have several established, champion artists to book in lieu of Shaun if he is unavailable, some with the specific skills you need!
Starbucks Chinatown Chalk Art
I had the privilege of joining the Deputy Mayor Of Chicago, Chinatown Alderman, Starbucks Staff and Executives, the Jaslin Hotel and the wonderful community around West Cermak for the Grand Opening of the #starbuckschinatown yesterday. Here are some highlights:
Thank you to everyone who came out to make the day very special and especially to Andrew Wang for his conversation and help ensuring my artwork fit the Chinese traditions appropriately and Mark Lewis for making the whole event happen!
#starbuckschinatown #chicagochalkchamp Go ask for a special “CHAI CHAI CHAI”!!!
Champ Demonstrates 3D Chalk Art at Events for CPS and Illinois schools.
This September I had the privilege of going into several inner city neighborhoods to add an artistic element to the educational process right here in Chicago. I spoke at several schools and drew 3D pieces for most of them as well. The children, staff, volunteers and parents were fabulous and friendly making the events during and after school memorable and hopefully life changing in a truly positive way!!


#chicagochalkchampĀ

Ā Bring Shaun Hays, Chicago Chalk Champ, to your school for amazing art and unforgettable assemblies! Call today: 1(312)233-2620Ā
Ask about our Indoor mess free options!
Schools, after school programs and youth development organizations are encouraged to inquire.
Currently running specials!
1(312) 233-2620
Adler Planetarium – Eclipse 2017 Summary
On August 21st, 2017 North America bore witness to a historic Solar Eclipse and I was privileged to be asked by Adler Planetarium to help them celebrate!
Initially I was told to expect about 10,000 to attend the party and witness my chalk art on the Chicago lakefront, but on last count we were well over the 40,000 mark! It was certainly a wonderful day and the eclipse did not disappoint despite on-and-off clouds all day. We got great participation in my freehand 3D chalk art all day. I made sure to finish it by 11am so we could have the most time for people to pose with this one!
To top it off I had the privilege of chalking with two time Chalk Art Champion, Cole Fasano on not one but TWO pieces.
Tequitta Lucas poses atop another Chicago Chalk Champ 3D piece. I’ll update this space with more photos and video later!
August Outings
If you have trouble reaching me for the next two weeks, please be patient. I may have less connectivity than usual.
Tomorrow, August 3, I will be near Buckingham Fountain drawing as part of the Chicago Lollapalooza festival. I leave immediately for Montana and Wyoming for about a week. On the 10th I leave for Barbados and return home on the 14th.
I hope to continue my connectivity, but, realistically it may take a while to get back to everyone.
Meanwhile, please be sure to leave messages and details of your needs by emailing shaunhays(AT)rocketmail.com
Also come out to see me flex my Chalk Champ muscles Monday, Aug 21 outside of Adler Planetarium in Chicago – eclipse day
Thank you!