The History of Maple Grove Chalkfest
A decade of creativity, community and color
What began as a bold idea to bring an extraordinary art form to Minnesota has grown into one of the Midwest's most celebrated outdoor art festivals.
Since its beginnings in 2016, Maple Grove Chalkfest has transformed the streets of Arbor Lakes and downtown Maple Grove into a spectacular open-air gallery, welcoming talented artists from around the world and tens of thousands of visitors each year.
But Chalkfest is about much more than beautiful artwork. It is about bringing people together, making art accessible to everyone, inspiring the next generation of artists and celebrating the creative spirit of our community.
Where It All Began
The story of Chalkfest began with a shared vision. Inspired by the street art festivals of Europe and the growing international chalk art movement, founders Nancy Whitelaw, Jennie Zafft and internationally recognized street artist Shawn McCann set out to bring something entirely new to the Twin Cities.
Shawn had already experienced the world of professional street painting, having created chalk artwork at the opening of The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes in 2005. He saw an opportunity to introduce Maple Grove to the extraordinary possibilities of this art form.
In 2016, that vision became a reality with the first Chalkfest at Arbor Lakes.
What started with 20 professional artists quickly captured the imagination of the community. Artists traveled from across the United States and overseas to create incredible works of art directly on the pavement, giving visitors the rare opportunity to watch masterpieces take shape right before their eyes.
A Decade of Chalkfest
Growing Into a Midwest Tradition
Year after year, Chalkfest grew in popularity, attracting an increasingly diverse collection of professional, amateur and student artists.
The festival became known for its spectacular large-scale murals, incredible 3D illusions, interactive community art spaces and welcoming atmosphere, complete with kids activities provided each year by Maple Grove Arts Center and complemented by a large scale mandala by local artist, Sandy Forseth.
One of the things that has always made Chalkfest special is the opportunity for artists of all abilities to participate. Emerging artists work alongside internationally acclaimed professionals, sharing techniques, encouragement and inspiration.
Over the years, the festival has welcomed artists from across the country and around the world, while becoming a much-loved summer tradition for Maple Grove residents and visitors alike.
By 2019, the festival was featuring approximately 50 artists, with Main Street providing a four-block canvas for an extraordinary celebration of street art.
In 2025, Chalkfest celebrated its 10th annual festival, marking a remarkable milestone in its history.
Over that decade, the event had grown from an ambitious creative experiment into a major regional attraction, bringing thousands of people to Maple Grove and showcasing the incredible talent of the street art community.
The festival's success was made possible through the dedication of its organizers, artists, volunteers, sponsors, business partners and the many visitors who returned year after year.
It was a decade worth celebrating, and a reminder of just how much can grow from one creative idea.
A New Chapter: The Revival of Chalkfest
In late 2025, the Maple Grove Business Association, which had organized the festival for the previous decade, announced its dissolution. This left the future of Chalkfest uncertain.
However, the community's affection for the festival and its importance to Maple Grove inspired a new partnership to bring it back.
In 2026, Experience Maple Grove, Maple Grove Arts Center and original co-founding artist Shawn McCann came together to revive Chalkfest and carry its creative legacy forward.
This new collaboration brought renewed energy, shared leadership and a commitment to ensuring that Chalkfest would continue to be a vibrant part of Maple Grove's cultural landscape.
The 2026 festival marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter, welcoming artists and visitors back to Main Street for another spectacular celebration of creativity.
The Story Continues
Today, Chalkfest remains a celebration of artistic expression, community spirit and the power of bringing people together through art.
It takes a tremendous team to make this event happen. From the artists who spend hours creating their masterpieces to the volunteers, sponsors, local businesses and community members who support the festival, every contribution helps bring the streets to life.
As we look ahead, our commitment remains the same: to celebrate artists, inspire creativity, welcome visitors and keep this extraordinary event free and accessible to everyone.
The artwork may wash away, but the memories, inspiration and community spirit remain.
To continue into the future, we need the public’s help. If you’ve ever visited and felt that “wow” factor, please consider donating time or cash to assist us.
Here's to the next chapter of Maple Grove Chalkfest!
Link coming soon!