On Sunday, Aug. 7, local artists will decorate the sidewalks of Shepherdstown with chalk art, demonstrating that chalk drawings are not just for children.

The first Shepherdstown Chalk Art Festival is a fundraiser for the Children’s Tree House and CraftWorks at Cool Spring. These two local organizations are nonprofits that incorporate nature in education.

The Children’s Tree House is based out of the National Conservation Training Center and is an early childhood education center that connects children to nature while learning. CraftWorks at Cool Spring, a center for craft, art, creative learning and sustainable living, offers classes and lessons at its locations in Charles Town and Shepherdstown.

Anne Rule-Thompson, the event coordinator for the Chalk Art Festival, said that the main festival will take place on King Street between German Street and Queen Valley. Thompson said that two dozen artists have signed up to chalk the sidewalks.

She said that all of the artwork will have a nature theme since the event is a fundraiser for the Children’s Tree House and CraftWorks.

There are three featured artists, Sandy Payne, David Heatwole and Tim Knepp, who will do larger pieces. The other artists will be doing smaller squares in front of businesses in town.

“The artists will be spread out around town on the sidewalks,” Thompson said. “We’re going to have a walking map so people can walk around and check out all of the artists.”

Sheri Fiolek, an art teacher at Paige Jackson Elementary School, will be chalking the square in front of Two Rivers Treads.

Fiolek said she chose to work at that vendor because she enjoys running.

“I’m a big fan of Two River Treads, so I got connected with them,” Fiolek said. “They are one of the first shoe stores to abandon the traditional running shoe. They teach natural running form.”

Fiolek said that Two River Treads has been supportive of the arts community in Shepherdstown.

“A lot of people I’ve talked to have heard about (the festival). I think it’s going to be a big event,” Fiolek said.

Thompson said there will be family activities in addition to the art. Throughout the day, children and families can meet animals brought from Critters and Conservation, learn how to make their own chalk, listen to live music and make T-shirts.

The Chalk Art Festival will be on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.wvcraftworks.org.