If you are a local artist and you’re interested in participating in the next annual Pastels on the Plaza fundraising event—held on the first Saturday of October—we would love to see your creation represented among the vibrant masterpieces! Your creative volunteer efforts will benefit the children and families served by Northcoast Children’s Services. Our Preschool and Family Services extend to over 800 children and families throughout Humboldt and Del Norte Counties annually.
We provide the pastels – there is no cost for artists to participate! If you are interested in participating in Humboldt County’s most unique and longstanding arts event, complete the online form below.
- If you are coordinating with a business, include your business/sponsor’s name and have your sponsor fill out a sponsor registration to confirm their spot.
- If you are not working with a business/sponsor, we will contact you the week before the event to match you with a sponsor.
Register Online Today
Important Details to Help You Prepare for the Event
8th, 9th, G, & H streets surrounding the plaza will be closed to traffic during the event.
Parking time limits are suspended in the downtown area for the duration of the event, so you need not worry about parking limits.
Artists check in between 8-9 am on the day of the event and receive their pastels. The check in table will be on the plaza, across from the Alibi bar and restaurant.
Pastels are provided through the sponsorship of the square at no cost to the artist.
We have plenty of extra sticks of chalk if your art has a lot of one color. The extra chalk table will be located next to the check in table.
Bring your inspiration, kneepads or something to kneel on (highly recommended). Many artists also like to use spray bottles and brushes.
The City of Arcata does not allow aerosol, paint or fixatives. Please help us stay in compliance with the City’s guidelines.
Square sizes: Small Squares are approximately 3’x3’ and Large squares are 3’x6’. Square sizes are approximate and some variation will occur.
Square Placement: Squares are not assigned. Once you pick up your pastels, you can choose any open square that is the correct size. Large squares will be marked with an X.
Cleaning Up: The City of Arcata requests that no pastels be left on the plaza after the event. Please return unused pastels to our extra chalk table or take them home with you.
COVID Safety: All artists and visitors to the plaza should self-screen for COVID symptoms to help protect our community and each other. Please stay home if you are sick or experiencing any Covid symptoms. If you need to cancel please let us know.
Bathrooms & Handwashing Stations: Bathrooms and Handwashing stations will be located on the corner of F & 8th Street for your convenience.
Business Sponsors: The bag with your pastels will have the business name and the square size noted for you in case you forget! Please remember to either incorporate the business name in your artwork or write the name of the business under the square.
This is a family friendly event! Please make sure that your artwork is appropriate to be viewed by tiny art lovers.
Please call our Executive Director, Rodney Oien at 707-825-1313 or our Events Coordinator, Lindsey Jones-Ziegler at 707-825-1326. You can also email us at info@ncsheadstart.org–skip-themes.