From Sept. 1 to 3, the 26th annual Art in the Park returns to the Marietta Square from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all three days.

The Chalk Art Competition is Sept. 1, welcoming participants of all ages as well as professional-level artists. Participants will have the opportunity to “Chalk it up!” with dynamic chalk art works in randomly selected sidewalk squares.

Advance registration is recommended because space is limited. Each participant will receive a box of chalk as part of registration fee. Works will be judged at the end of the day and remain on display throughout the festival.

Additionally, professional 3-D chalk artists Lori Escalera and Julie Kirk-Purcell will “street paint” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Their works will be on display throughout the festival.

“We are so excited to have these California artists in Marietta,” said Sally Macaulay, director of the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, which co-sponsors the event. “It is going to be such a fun experience to watch the streets come alive with art.”

The idea for Chalk It Up! came from Michael Leidel, MCMA’s graphic artist who told Macaulay of a similar weeklong event in Sarasota, Fla., where his parents live. Artists come from all over the world including Europe to participate.

“Sarasota brings in over 200,000 people to the city just for that event,” Macaulay said. “I am always trying to think of new ways to bring people into the art museum, and this is a form of art that I think everyone can appreciate and would love to see. If Sarasota brings in 200,000 people each year for this event, why not the city of Marietta? I really believe that people will be wowed by these artists and want more.”

According to Macaulay, the National Endowment for the Arts has proven that for every $1 spent promoting the arts the community gets $3 back. “I would like this to become a yearly event and bring people from all over the Southeast to see it. This event would be a huge way to promote tourism in Marietta, and I am so pleased that the City of Marietta, Cobb County and the Downtown Marietta Development Authority have supported this opportunity.”

Macaulay said she would love to see other businesses in the next year or so become sponsors and help with the costs or be able to promote it. “I really think it is a win-win situation for everyone involved,” she said. “It is amazing to see these artists at work, and there is no limit to what they can create.”

To register for Chalk It Up! contact Emily Ryals at (770) 528-1444, ext. 16, or at education@mariettacobbartmuseum.org. To learn more about the festival and its events, visit www.artparkmarietta.com or contact Carolyn Morris, events director, at cmorrisga@gmail.com or (404) 966-8497.