Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The 2016 'i Madonnari' Chalk Art Festival will be held from November 11-13, according to the announcement made by the Puerto Vallarta/Santa Barbara Sister Cities Committee, organizer of this prestigious event.

Madonnari art had its origin in the Italy of XVI century. Nomadic artists were brought to the big cities and commissioned to paint inside the great cathedrals. Once their employment was done, they started to re-create the images on the stone floors of the cities. The word 'Madonnari' comes from the fact that most of the images were Madonnas.

The first documented festival and contest of this singular artistic expression was held in London in 1906. The first International Contest/Festival I Madonnari took place in Grazie di Curtatone, Italy in 1972. In 1987, Wenner y Manfred Stader introduced I Madonnari to Old Mission Santa Barbara.

The first 'I Madonnari' Festival took place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 2005, with chalk artists from around the world drawing amazing renditions directly on downtown streets and sidewalks. Now in its eleventh year, this traditional and colorful fiesta of ephemeral art on pavement will transform the walk ways in PV's Plaza Principal into beautiful works of art.

The XI Puerto Vallarta i Madonnari Festival & Contest will begin at 9 am on Friday, November 11th in the Municipal Plaza, and continue until Sunday, November 13 at 7 pm, when the winners will be announced. First prize in the adult category is an all-expense paid trip to Santa Barbara, where they will represent Puerto Vallarta in our Sister City's Festival Madonnari. The artists deserving of first place in the children and youth categories will receive a cash prize.

The organizing committee will provide the participating "i Madonnari," or street painters, with the necessary materials to create their art, and the jury, composed of guest pavement artists from Santa Barbara, will judge their works based on drawing, composition, use of color and the profoundness of the piece.

Mark your calendar now so you won't miss the 10th edition of this annual street painting event that is sure to dazzle your senses... and don't forget to bring your camera!