Fifth Annual Chalk Art Symposium
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026

Every research project starts as a question that draws you in - now's your chance to draw that question out, literally. We are excited to invite you to sign up as an artist for the Fifth Annual Chalk Art Symposium!

No poster board, no podium, no slides. Just your work, a box of chalk, and a campus full of passersby. GVSU alumna and professional chalk artist Emily Miller ('14, '20) joins us again this year, working alongside artists with guidance on design, lettering, and shading.

Register for the Chalk Art Symposium

*Registration closes Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Event Details

• Thursday, September 17, 2026, chalk artists at work 4:00-6:30 p.m.
• The Northeast Plaza of the Mary Idema Pew Library (near the Cook Carillon Clock Tower)
• Rain location: the Kirkhof Center Lobby
• Open to any student actively engaged in research, in or out of the classroom

What Goes on the Pavement

Your research already has visuals. Consider drawing:

• the question your project is chasing
• a diagram of your method, process, or workflow
• a biological or chemical structure
• mechanical components and design drawings
• the title of a creative or performance piece
• a graph, chart, or table of your most surprising data
• a formula or theorem you haven't stopped thinking about

You Won't Be Drawing Alone

Emily Miller ('14, '20) has been with this event since the very first one. She's a GVSU alumna, an elementary art teacher, and a chalk artist who competes across West Michigan at Zeeland Chalk Fest, where she took People's Choice in 2022, along with the West Michigan Chalk Art Festival and Grand Rapids Chalk It Up. Her ties to Grand Valley run deep enough that the university gave her its Alumni Service Award.

She'll be with us the whole afternoon, moving between squares and helping with design, lettering, and shading.

What We're Asking of You

• Who can participate: students and faculty actively engaged in research, in or out of the classroom.
• Before the day: you're welcome to plan your square with our artist ahead of time.
• On the day: come with your idea. We'll provide the tools, including the chalk and the knee pads.