New this year is Plein Air–Easton! The Next Generation on Sunday, July 21 from 10:30am to 3pm in downtown Easton. Plein Air–Easton! The Next Generation is especially designed to offer high end arts training and experiences to young artists. The event is comprised of educational workshops for students in grades K-6, and a Quick Draw competition for artists under age 18. Registration on Harrison Street at 10am, no preregistration is necessary.
Workshops:
Educational workshops for students in grades K-6 will run from 10:30am-2:00pm. This event will provide students with hands-on experience and high quality art education showcasing children creating art outdoors at the following stations:
Pastel Painting for the Young Artist with instructor Susan Horsey
See it….Simplify it….Paint it! with instructor Abby Laible
Thinking Like an Artist with Landscapes & Nature with instructor Jean Stark
Narrowing Down the Field – Perspective and Focal Point with instructor Amy Queen
Nature Collages with instructor Constance Del Nero
Mosaic Mural with instructor Jen Wagner
Each workshop lasts 45 minutes. Spaces in the workshops are limited, but a new class will start every 15 minutes and some arts activities will run non-stop all day. All art supplies will be provided. A detailed listing of classes is shown below. There is a $5 registration fee, which allows children to rotate through the workshops throughout the day.
The Next Generation Quick Draw Competition
The Next Generation Quick Draw competition gives more experienced student artists a chance to compete and sell their work in a Quick Draw competition designed just for them. Students under the age of 18 are invited to paint out and have fun in downtown Easton. Participants must check in and register at the Quick Draw registration tent and “paint from life” between 10:30am and 1:30pm. Artists must provide their own supplies. Registration costs $10 (or $5 if the student registered for workshops).
The Next Generation Exhibit & Sale
Finished works from the workshops or Quick Draw may be entered. All artwork must be framed in order to be considered. Master painter and Plein Air–Easton! Competition judge, Don Demers, will judge all submitted work. Demers will announce the awards at 2:30pm. The event is sponsored by Attraction magazine. Prizes in the age 12-18 category will be awarded in the amounts of $200, $100, and $50. Product awards will be presented to artists in the age 0-11 category.
Plein Air–Easton! is the work of the Avalon Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide diversified arts and educational programs that improve the quality of life in the Mid-Shore region. The Academy Art Museum is the accredited museum venue for the competition exhibit.
Plein Air–Easton! is supported by various corporate, media, and community sponsors, including the Maryland State Arts Council, Talbot County Arts Council, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Star Democrat, and Attraction magazine. Donations from Friends of Plein Air–Easton! support the event while promoting conservation and tourism through the arts. Strong community support and sponsorships have helped make Plein Air–Easton! one of Easton’s largest events and America’s premier plein air festival.
The 9th Annual Plein Air–Easton! Competition & Arts Festival takes place July 15-21, 2013.
For more information, itineraries, artists’ bios and galleries, to become a Friend of Plein Air–Easton! or to join the mailing list and blog, visit www.pleinaireaston.com, email info@pleinaireaston.com or call the Plein Air–Easton! hotline at 410.822.7297.
In photo: Plein Air–Easton! The Next Generation is especially designed to offer high end arts training and experiences to young artists. Photograph by Nancy Cook