Here’s how it works: During the contest dates, get yourself some chalk; get yourself a stretch of pavement, whether that be sidewalk, driveway, sponsor’s parking lot or, if it’s safe, a quiet urban roadway; and get creating. We’re looking for original works of art that really capture the spirit of all the amazing things that make Southeast COS so special — its pride, its culture, its diversity, its strength, its love … you get the idea.

Feel free to work alone or with a group (just please adhere to CDC social-distancing and masking best practices, we don’t want anyone getting sick) to share your message and vision. Then, once your masterpiece is complete, post an image on your favorite social media outlet, and tag us (we’re on Facebook at @southeastexpressnews, Twitter at @SEExpressNews and Instagram at @southeastexpressnews). Don’t forget to use the hashtag #Southeastsidewalks so we know it’s your contender.

Oh, and please remember to tell us the artist’s name, age and where the work is located, and we’ll take it from there.

This is going to be a juried contest, judged by some of the neighborhood’s artistic pros. To make sure our jurors are comparing apples to apples, we will divide the entries according to creator’s age and into professional/emerging artist categories.

In addition to bragging rights, winning entries will be compiled into a large-scale design that will — get this — be immortalized in a mural at Mission Trace Shopping Center. To be clear, that’s your artwork, re-created by a pro, in the heart and at the hub of Southeast Colorado Springs. How cool is that?