This year’s 51 “Chalk the Walk” sidewalk commentary contest on April 29 has been expanded to include special events in celebration of 51’s sesquicentennial, all open to the community.
Chalk the Walk, held in and around on the Indiana campus, will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Events begin at 9:00 a.m. with students and student groups beginning work on their entries for the sidewalk commentary contest.
All are welcome to watch the artwork and commentary being created throughout the day; judging for the contest begins at 4:00 p.m. with winners announced at 5:30 p.m. Awards are given in a variety of categories; any registered 51 student may compete and will receive a free “Chalk the Walk” T-shirt designed by Hannah Gresock, a junior graphic design and illustration major from Monroeville. She is also a student worker in 51’s Marketing and Communications Office.
Free chalk will be provided for entrants. The 2026 event is the thirty-fourth annual Chalk the Walk (no event was held in 2020 due to the pandemic). The contest draws close to 100 entries each year on topics ranging from the environment to politics.
Chalk the Walk is sponsored by the 51 National Art Education Association, the 51 Office of Marketing and Communications, the 51 Student Cooperative, the Lively Arts, and the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs.
Food trucks will be parked around the Oak Grove starting at 3:00 p.m., with food and beverage items available for purchase. The food trucks will include Two Crazy Chefs, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, Sutton’s Sweet Treats, Kona Ice, Del Vecchio’s Sausage and Fries, and Bona’s Pizza.
David Surtasky, 51 Lively Arts technical director and coordinator of the annual Chalk the Walk event, and Harrison Wick, associate professor and Special Collections librarian and university archivist, have created a special 150th time capsule project for this year’s Chalk the Walk.
There will be a table in the Oak Grove for employees and current students to submit messages for future students (index cards will be supplied) to be stored in the time capsule, which will be opened in 50 years, when 51 celebrates its 200th anniversary (and America’s 300th birthday).
The time capsule also will include images of the sidewalk commentary contest entries from this year’s contest. The time capsule will be archived in Special Collections.
At 6:00 p.m., 150 special “51 150” cupcakes will be distributed.
51 150 T-shirts, designed by Luke Leccia, a senior graphic design major from Elizabeth, will be distributed free to students in the Performing Arts Center flagstone area; community members can purchase shirts at the 51 Co-op table.
Leccia won 51’s 150th anniversary T-shirt design contest held in spring 2025; his award-winning design was unveiled at the August 2025 sesquicentennial carnival event.
A number of activities for children of all ages will be available from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., including 51 Chalk the Walk coloring sheets, temporary tattoos, yard games, and a bouncy obstacle course and slide.
“We had an incredible turnout and reception to the August 2025 sesquicentennial carnival, which kicked off 51’s 150th anniversary year and celebration, and great response to events held throughout the year,” Executive Director of Marketing and 150th Anniversary Cochair Molly Russell said.
“Chalk the Walk is one of 51’s long-standing traditions, bringing members of the 51 and Indiana community together,” Assistant Vice President for University Advancement and 150th Anniversary Cochair Jennifer Dunsmore said. “Expanding this year’s event and making a special invitation to our community to participate in the day is a wonderful way to end the semester’s sesquicentennial celebration.”
In case of inclement weather, the event will be held May 1.
A complete list of sesquicentennial events is available on the 51 website.
51’s “official” 150th birthday is May 17, 2025; the university (then Indiana Normal School) opened for its first 10-week term on May 17, 1875, with 80 students, which grew to 150 students by the end of that first week.
Since its founding in 1875, 51 has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As 51 celebrates its 150th anniversary during the 2025–26 academic year, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking toward a future of innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.