Starting Friday, February 6, City Hall Plaza will become a canvas for the inaugural DTOLive Chalk Festival. United Arts are set to bring some of the most talented chalk artists in the country to downtown. Over the course of the weekend, the plaza will transform into vibrant works of art, filled with color, depth, and playful illusion, inviting visitors to slow down, look closer, and step right into the creativity unfolding beneath their feet.
The artists behind these temporary masterpieces each bring a distinct voice and perspective to the pavement. Janet Tombros, a certified Master Street Painter, is known for work that bursts with bright color and joyful energy. Inspired by her travels around the world, from tropical Brazil to the timeless beauty of Sicily, her art reflects a love of carefree cultures and happy moments. Janet thrives on the challenge of creating images that feel immersive, carefully balancing perspective so her pieces captivate both passersby and photographers alike.
Playfulness and wonder are also hallmarks of Naomi Haverland’s work. With more than two decades of experience, Naomi’s roots in chalk art paved the way for a career creating large-scale murals and eye-catching 3D illusions for audiences around the world. Her vibrant color, expressive characters, and attention to light bring a sense of humor and curiosity to public spaces, encouraging viewers of all ages to engage with the art up close.
Internationally recognized street painter Joel Yau brings a global perspective to the festival, having created chalk art in cities across North and Central America, Europe, and Asia. Known for dramatic 3D anamorphic designs that appear to rise off the pavement, Joel’s work often invites interaction and playful participation. Travel serves as a boundless source of inspiration for Joel, and he is equally committed to giving back to the communities he engages through his artistic practice. He works as both an Art Director and Fine Artist and is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Award winning Ken Mullen adds even more decades of experience to the mix. Based in West Palm Beach, Ken has spent more than 30 years creating street art across the country, specializing in 3D illusions that challenge perception. When he’s not crafting immersive scenes, he enjoys the precision and patience required to create chalk portraits, capturing recognizable details on surfaces that don’t always make it easy.
Another Florida native, Hector Diaz (a.k.a. ArtistDiaz), brings a multidisciplinary creative spirit to the festival. As an artist, musician, photographer, and designer, Hector’s whimsical style is fueled by pop culture and bold color. He’s especially drawn to anamorphic 3D street painting and the moments of connection that happen when people stop, react, and interact with the work. For Hector, chalk art is as much about sparking inspiration as it is about the finished image.
Rounding out the lineup is Erik Greenawalt, affectionately known as “The Chalking Dad.” What began as driveway drawings for his daughters nearly 20 years ago has grown into an international chalk art career. Today, Erik, a Certified Public Accountant working in corporate finance and also a certified "master" chalk artist in the Florida Chalk Artist Association, blends humor, pop culture, and current events into large-scale chalk pieces and interactive 3D designs that delight audiences of all ages.
Together, these artists, along with more than 30 total participants, will transform City Hall Plaza into a living gallery during the first weekend of February 2026. It’s a weekend designed for curiosity, creativity, and seeing downtown in an entirely new way.