July has arrived and that means that the 18th annual Plein Air Easton Competition and Festival is taking over the town. Fifty-eight of the best plein air artists will spend a full week painting our beautiful landscape, historic architecture, and working waterfronts. There’s more to the week than the competition though – opportunities abound for everyone to learn about art, hone their skills, and paint alongside and inspire their kids. Best of all, plein air painting is a terrific spectator sport. Not only are you welcome to observe and engage competition artists as they work, you can also experience first-hand the places that inspire such creativity. Admission is free to most events (exceptions indicated in the event description). Visit PleinAirEaston.com for more information.
Events listed take place in Easton, unless indicated otherwise.
Plein Air Easton Week-long Day Camp
Led by local teachers and frequented by Plein Air Easton artists, this instructional camp for middle schoolers is the highlight of many an art student’s summer. Register early at AvalonFoundation.org.
July 15, Friday
Easton Block Party & Gallery Walk, 6 p.m.
Dover, Washington, Goldsborough and Harrison Streets
Explore Easton: stroll through eclectic downtown shops, enter to win prizes, grab dinner at one of the local restaurants, listen to live music in the streets, and make sure to visit each of downtown Easton’s galleries that will be offering lite fare and drinks, while meeting, greeting and welcoming some of their represented artists back to town.
Nocturne Paint Out, Everyone Paints, 8 p.m.
Harrison Street between Dover and Goldsborough
Nocturne painting is a popular way to escape the heat of the day and scenes captured after dark are especially evocative. PAE will be blocking off Harrison Street alongside the Tidewater and everyone is invited to stroll, paint or draw in the festival’s first paint-out.
July 16, Saturday
Meet the Artists Party, Cocktail Party, Art Exhibit and Sale
Attending the Meet the Artists Party is an exclusive benefit for those who support Plein Air Easton through charitable giving. Become a Friend and secure your tickets to this magical evening under a blanket of summer stars at a private waterfront estate. Cocktails, live music, and a gourmet dinner are all part of this exceptional evening.
July 17, Sunday
PAE Headquarters & Library, Exhibit, Sale, Demos and Art Discussions, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
40 South Harrison Street
The PAE HQ and Library will be the source point to find information about the festival, watch Artist Demos and Live Podcast Interviews and learn through educational content offered all week.
On the Stage: Plein Air Easton Podcast Interview, noon
Oxford Paint-out, Exhibit and Sale, 5-6:30 p.m.
Oxford Community Center, 200 Oxford Road, Oxford
Competition artists will spend the day in Oxford painting from life, then converge on the Oxford Community Center for an exhibition and sale of the day’s work.
July 18, Monday
PAE Headquarters & Library, Exhibit, Sale, Demos and Art Discussions, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
40 South Harrison Street
On the Stage: Demo, 10 a.m., Plein Air Easton Podcast Interview, noon. Beyond the Canvas Panel Discussion, 2 p.m.
Tilghman Island Paint-out, Exhibit and Sale, 6 p.m.
Wylder Hotel, 21551 Chesapeake Acc Drive, Tilghman
Competition artists will spend the day in Tilghman painting from life, then converge on the Wylder Hotel for an exhibition and sale of the day’s work.
July 19, Tuesday
PAE Headquarters & Library, Exhibit, Sale, Demos and Art Discussions, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
40 South Harrison Street
On the Stage: Demo, 10 a.m. Plein Air Easton Podcast Interview, noon. Beyond the Canvas Panel Discussion, 2 p.m.
July 20, Wednesday
PAE Headquarters & Library, Exhibit, Sale, Demos and Art Discussions, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
40 South Harrison Street
On the Stage: Beyond the Canvas Panel Discussion, 10 a.m. Plein Air Easton Podcast Interview, noon.
Robert Barber, “Plein Air Plus Time” Part II, 11 a.m.
Demo with artist Tim Kelly, 1:30 p.m.
Demo with artist Mary Veiga, 3:45 p.m.
Local Color, Exhibit and Sale, Noon-6 p.m.
Christ Church Parish Hall, 111 South Harrison Street
Local Color (presented in partnership with the Avalon Foundation’s Plein Air Easton) is a juried exhibit featuring regional artists. The exhibit opens at noon with an awards presentation.
July 21, Thursday
PAE Headquarters & Library, CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
40 South Harrison Street
Local Color, Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
111 South Harrison Street
Demo with artist Jeff Williams, 1 p.m.
Demo with artist Daniel Robbins, 3:30 p.m.
July 22, Friday
PAE Headquarters & Library, Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
40 South Harrison Street
Local Color, Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
111 South Harrison Street
Demo with artist Charlie Hunter, 1 p.m.
Collector’s Preview Party, Exhibit, Sale and Awards, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
40 South Harrison Street, Easton
Ticketed Event. A purchased ticket applies directly to your art purchases all weekend at the Academy Art Museum and the PAE HQ and Library. Competition awards presentation 7 p.m.
July 23, Saturday
PAE Headquarters & Library, Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
40 South Harrison Street
Local Color, Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
111 South Harrison Street
Quick Draw, Painting Competition Registration, 10am-2pm
Harrison Street between Dover and South Streets
Two-hour Painting Competition – Open to All Ages. Excitement fills the air when hundreds of artists converge on downtown Easton for the festival’s Quick Draw Competition and Sale. Anyone with $10 and a little ambition can enter this famous timed event. Participating artists have two hours, 10 a.m.-noon, to create their best works. When time’s up, artists and admirers line Harrison Street for an exhibition, sale and awards ceremony.
Quick Draw, Exhibit and Sale, 2 p.m.
Harrison Street between Dover and South Streets
Peruse the freshly painted art all along Harrison Street, select your purchases and bring your sales tickets to the cashier tent in front of the Town Office (14 South Harrison Street).
Competition and Winner’s Galleries, Art Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Academy Art Museum, 106 South Street
View the competition galleries then make your way to the winner’s gallery where the award-winning paintings will be exhibited throughout the weekend. If it doesn’t have a red dot sales tag, it’s available for purchase.
Artisan’s Market, Local Artisans Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
In the area of 40 South Harrison Street
Look for the pop-up tents flanking the PAE HQ for a unique collection of three-dimensional art.
Next Generation, Painting Competition Registration, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
40 East Dover Street
For artists 18 and under. Register for the Plein Air Easton Next Generation Painting Competition between 11 a.m.-3 p.m., then paint in the location of your choice and return your completed work to the theatre by noon on Sunday for exhibit, sale and awards.
Kid’s Corner, “Hands on Art,” 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
40 East Dover Street
“Hands-on Art” for 12 and under. Roll up your sleeves and join in – make and take art stations will be set up throughout the theatre. Exhibit and Sale – Peruse the kid’s exhibit inside the theatre and support these budding artists with your purchase.
July 24, Sunday
Small Painting Sunday, Exhibit, Sale and Awards, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
40 South Harrison Street
Each competition artist creates a 6 in. x 8 in. painting exclusively for this event, which opens to the public at 10 a.m. Come for the exhibit of 6×8 paintings, buy paintings and stay for the Judge’s Talk at 2 p.m.
Competition and Winner’s Galleries, Art Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
106 South Street
View the competition galleries then make your way to the winner’s gallery where the award-winning paintings will be exhibited throughout the weekend. If it doesn’t have a red dot sales tag, it’s available for purchase.
Local Color, Exhibit and Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
111 South Harrison Street
Kid’s Corner, “Hands on Art,” 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Found inside the Avalon Theatre, the Plein Air Easton “Kid’s Corner” features art stations for artists of all ages to make-and-take items in traditional two or three-dimensional style art.
Exhibit and Sale – Peruse the kid’s exhibit inside the theatre and support these budding artists with your purchase.
Next Generation, Painting Competition Registration, 10-11:30 a.m.
40 East Dover Street
For artists 18 and under. Register for the Plein Air Easton Next Generation Painting Competition between 10-11:30 a.m., then paint in the location of your choice and return your completed work to the theatre by noon on Sunday. Completed works will be on exhibit, judged by this year’s competition judge and available for sale. Prizes are awarded at 12:30 p.m.
Next Generation, Painting Competition Awards, 12:30 p.m.
40 East Dover Street
For artists 18 and under
Judge’s Talk, Lecture, 2 p.m.
40 South Harrison Street
This year’s competition judge, Julia Marciari-Alexander, Executive Director & CEO of the Walters Art Museum, presents the awards for Small Painting Sunday and shares her thought process behind her selection of winners in this year’s competition.
At last, travel home with paintings of Talbot County’s picturesque landscape to reflect on your immersive art adventure, and to save the dates for the 19th Annual Plein Air Easton Competition and Festival on July 14- 23, 2023.