Don't know about chalkboard, but we've done a couple things similar.
We applied black vinyl to whatever backer (alum, MDO, customer's wall, whatever works best for customer), then apply a white-board laminate, and use the liquid chalk markers. That seems to work well. Could also just go with large piece of black acrylic and a frame.
I do know you can buy uncut sheets of chalkboard material, it's pretty widely available.