Tickets to the Plein Air–Easton! Collectors’ Preview Party are now on sale to the public. This exclusive gala takes place Friday, July 23, from 7-9pm. It is the highlight of a weeklong painting marathon by top plein air artists from across the country. Plein Air–Easton! is one of Easton’s biggest events and is the country’s premier plein air festival. Spectators and art buyers at the national competition experience up-close, personal access to 58 top plein air artists from across the U.S.
The lineup includes the grand prize winners from the all five previous Plein Air–Easton! national competitions: Gavin Brooks (2005), Tim Bell (2006), Robert J. Barber (2007), Greg LaRock (2008), and Stewart White (2009). Artists arrive on Sunday, July 18 and then paint in Easton and Talbot County for four full days (Monday thru Thursday, July 19-22). Many artists will create several paintings during this timeframe, culminating in a varied, compelling look at the area’s natural beauty and an exceptional body of artwork displayed at the competition exhibit.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to view and purchase some of the best representational art in America today.
Competition artists select two of their best works from the four-day painting fest to deliver the Academy Art Museum by noon on Friday, July 23. Just hours later, before the paint has had a chance to fully dry, doors open to the Collectors’ Preview Party and guests arrive at Easton’s hottest art sale. Guests enjoy the company of old and new friends, fine wine, hors d’œuvres, and conversation with competition artists. Preview Party attendees have the first and only opportunity to see the entire competition show, as they choose their favorite works, and purchase paintings right off the museum walls.
Competition paintings will be for sale starting at 7pm when doors open to ticketholders. Sales promise to be brisk, and this is the only time the competition exhibit will be intact. The exhibit will evolve all evening as new paintings replace sold ones. Winning paintings will remain on display all weekend. Preview Party guests also have easy access to replacement paintings from the exhibit library, giving them first chance to purchase paintings even before they are exhibited.
The pinnacle of the evening comes when competition judge Jean Stern announces the winners of more than $12,000 in prizes. Awards will be announced at approximately 7:45pm.
A limited number of tickets to the Collectors’ Preview Party are available. This event sells out fast; don’t be disappointed, reserve your tickets now. Tickets are $150 and the full ticket price applies to any Plein Air–Easton! art purchase at the Academy Art Museum on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, July 23, 24, and 25 or at the Winners’ Paint-Out & Brunch on Sunday, July 25.
Awards judge, Jean Stern will follow up his announcements at a feature event on Saturday, July 24 from 8-9pm at the Academy Art Museum. Mr. Stern is a highly-regarded authority on California Impressionism. He is executive director of the Irvine Museum in Irvine CA, and a sough-after author, curator, lecturer, and teacher. Stern will use his 2010 winning selections to impart what makes a successful plein air painting. This is a prime opportunity for art buyers to see paintings through an insider’s eye as Stern discusses how and why he selected the winners. He will also walk patrons through the competition galleries and point out other examples of great plein air paintings throughout the Academy Art Museum. The event is free and open to the public.
The 6th Annual Plein Air–Easton! Competition & Arts Festival takes place July 19-25, 2010. 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 provides an accredited museum venue for the competition exhibit. The event is supported by various corporate, media, and community sponsors, including the Talbot County Arts Council. Donations from Friends of Plein Air–Easton! support the event while promoting conservation and tourism through the arts and a distinct sense of place. Strong community support and sponsorships have helped make Plein Air–Easton! one of Easton’s largest events and the premier plein air festival in the country.
Ticket sales, competition prospectuses, artists’ bios, galleries, itineraries, educational components, and more are available at www.pleinaireaston.com. For further information, email info@pleinaireaston.com or call the Plein Air–Easton! Hotline at 410.822.7297.