Bakersfield Museum of Art's annual Via Arte Italian Street Painting Festival has become a Bakersfield tradition, bringing together the community and the visual arts since 1998. Using the asphalt as canvas, spectators watch each year as artists unlock their imaginations and turn the parking lot of The Marketplace into a gallery of amazing chalk masterpieces.

This family-friendly event allows visitors to create their own masterpiece! Hundreds of children (and adults) participate each year in our Via Bambino area, showcasing their talents and trying their hand at the ancient art of street painting.

Schedule of Events:

09:00 am: Artists continue working
10:30 am - 12:30 pm: Saturday Studio at Via Are
10:30 am - 12:30 am: Celene
01:00 pm - 03:00 pm: The Jay Smith Group
03:00 pm: Jurors begin evaluating work
03:30 pm - 05:30 pm: Mento Buru
04:00 pm: Festival awards and Opportunity Draw winner announced.