Plein Air Easton

by Marie Nuthall

The Plein Air Easton (PAE) Art Competition and Festival is the nation’s largest event celebrating the art of plein air painting. Each July, thousands of artists and art lovers from across the country flock to Talbot County to admire and purchase art that showcases the beauty of the Eastern Shore’s rural and maritime landscapes. Join us July 14–23 for the 19th PAE Art Competition and Festival!

This year’s PAE festival has something for everyone: collectors, enthusiasts and artists of all levels.

“We want to engage our visitors with exciting and educational activities as the competition artists create their premium pieces,” said PAE Coordinator Marie Nuthall. “We invite the public to watch a demo, listen to a panel discussion, browse JFM’s pop-up framing shop and participate in the offerings through PAE Headquarters and the downtown galleries. Most are free and are open to everyone.”

PAE’s main competition will include 58 juried artists painting for big cash prizes. The competi -

Plein Air Easton

tion will culminate in hundreds of paintings created during the week being exhibited at the Academy Art Museum and across the street at PAE Headquarters. Local Color, a gallery exhibit for juried local artists, is sponsored by The Working Artists Forum and is showcased in the Christ Church Parish Hall. In addition, there are parties for collectors ($), free art demonstrations, live music, an all-ages “Quick Draw” and a day for young artists: the “Next Generation.” For a complete list of events, visit pleinaireaston.com .

Festival Highlights

All events FREE and open to the public unless noted otherwise ($)

July 14: PAE Kickoff Party

– Shop and dine all day and earn raffle tickets for every $25 spent. From 5–7 p.m., enjoy an active gallery walk and merchant party in downtown Easton, live music alongside the Tidewater Inn and a raffle drawing at 7:15 p.m. Participate in an immersive Shake- speare experience at 8:30 p.m. on Harrison Street and/or bring your paints and paint a nocturne scene beside the competition artists. All fun, all free, open to all ages.

July 16–23: Plein Air Easton Headquarters (40 S. Harrison St.) – art exhibit, art demos, panel discussions, festival information, pop-up vendor: JFM Frames

July 22: S. Harrison Street (from Dover to South) – Quick Draw competition, $10 to register and paint, free to peruse the exhibit, live music

July 22 & 23: PAE Headquarters, Academy Art Museum, Christ Church Parish Hall – art exhibits and sales

July 22 & 23: Avalon Theatre – Next Generation art activities, Quick Draw for 18 and under

July 23: PAE Headquarters, Academy Art Museum, Christ Church Parish Hall – art exhibits and sales; PAE Headquarters –Small Painting Sunday exhibit and sale, Judge’s Talk