Local chalk artist captivates younger artists at Crystal Bridges

Many people joined Craig Vough in drawing on his canvas of choice— the sidewalk.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Northwest Arkansas’ newest chalk artist did his part to put a smile on kids’ faces on March 3 at Crystal Bridges.

Craig Vough dropped in on the art museum’s Family Day event that encourages attendees to immerse themselves in the “world of the novel with themed games, artmaking, [and] activities for the whole family.”

Many people joined Vough in drawing on his canvas of choice— the sidewalk. Even though chalking is not the most traditional art form, Vough said his love for it started by accident.

“I’m kind of a wannabe artist,” he said. “At a couple of picnics, they had chalk and I was bored so I started playing around with that a little bit. And you know, they just kind of grew out of that.”

Since then he’s been chalking for many years but during the pandemic, he saw an opportunity to make a difference.

“It was just a way that I could kind of get information out there and let people play with what I was doing,” Vough said.

If you ever catch Vough chalking, don’t expect to see any shoes on him.

“I only put shoes on when I need to, if I’m going in the store or something like that, I carry them with me just in case I need them,” he said.

Although he chalks for fun, seeing children inspired by his work and imitating it is what keeps him going.

“My goal is still to make people smile … or to take the stress away for a little while. And as long as I can accomplish that, I’m having a blast with it,” Vough said.

He accomplished that goal at Crystal Bridges as dozens of kids joined him to draw whatever they wanted.