The Oxford Community Center is excited to welcome the artists of Plein Air Easton!
The Town of Oxford and Oxford Business Association partnered with the Oxford Community Center to produce an educational series offering instruction from these most talented PAE artists. These sponsors made it possible to invite the artists to participate and spend time enjoying all that Oxford has to offer while capturing the beauty of the special town. The demonstrations will take place all three days from Monday, July 13th through Wednesday July 15th at noon and 2:00pm. Two demonstrations per day allows for an exceptional learning experience.
“Being able to offer such unique education, while these internationally award winning artists are in town, was such a special opportunity for us.” says Liza Ledford, Director of the Community Center. “The realization that we could create meaningful interaction for our community, up close and personal, with these extraordinary artists was wonderful. Of course not closer than 6’, but fantastic learning in small groups, outside.”
“The Yankee Pedler Education Series”, is presented in memory of Larry Murray. “Yankee Pedler” is the miniature skipjack that resides in front of the Oxford Community Center, on loan from the Oxford Museum. She is one of a kind, as was Larry. The Demos will take place at her side. Larry Murray and his wife, Dorette, lovingly and tirelessly preserved the historic vessel, with all the elbow grease and sweat wooden boats require, until his recent passing. He was an exceptional friend, neighbor, volunteer and exemplary role model; a truly irreplaceable person. The demonstration classes are:
MONDAY, July 13
12-1:30pm
John Schisler, Georgetown DE (johnschisler.com) oils/acrylics; new to PAE this year; Signature Member: National Oil and Acrylic Painter’s Society; Award of Excellence (NOAPS); Best in Show: Ocean City Center for the Arts 2019
2pm-3:30pm
John Brandon Sills, Cockeysville MD (johnbrandonsillsfineart.com) oils; 14th year juried into PAE; Grand Prize: PAE 2014; Award of Excellence: Laguna Beach Plein Invitational; Third Place: PAE 2015
TUESDAY, July 14
12-1:30pm
Neal Hughes, Medford NJ (nealhughes.com) oils; elected fellow: American Society of Marine Artists; First Place and Artists’ Choice: Cape Ann Plein Air; Gold Medal: OPA Eastern Regional Exhibition
2pm-3:30pm
Stewart Burgess White, Easton MD (stewartwhitestudios.com) watercolors; 12th year juried into PAE; signature artist: Laguna Plein Air Association and American Watercolor Society; Grand Prize: PAE 2009 and Olmstead Plein Air Invitational 2016
WEDNESDAY, July 15
12-1:30PM
Philip Carlton, St. Paul MN (pacarlton.com) oils; new to PAE this year; First Place: Plein Air on the Yellowstone 2017, 2019; featured artist in PleinAir magazine Oct/Nov 2017; Best Atmospheric Perspective: Plein Air Grand Marais 2019
2-3:30PM
Olena Babak, Hartfield ME (olenababak.com) oils; 5th year juried into PAE; First Place: Hudson River Plein Air 2019; Best Nocturne and Second Place: Adirondack Plein Air 2019; featured artist in PleinAir magazine June/July 2019
In addition to the demonstrations, each evening from 4:00-8:00 PM, the PAE artist will exhibit their artwork created that day in Oxford. Roughly ten different artists will be painting around Oxford each day. An award ceremony happens live each night at 5:00 pm at the OCC. The judge in Oxford all three evenings is Bernie Dellario. He is currently President of the prestigious Washington Society of Landscape Painters, is on the faculty of the Academy Art Museum, and received “Best in Show” at the 2019 members’ exhibit there. Bernie has received numerous plein air awards of importance and has been included in multiple selected exhibitions. He has been selected to judge the Ocean City Plein Air event in August.
“When the PAE artists come to town we are thrilled with the art they generate from their time spent in Oxford. Now, with respect for the coronavirus, they paint over three days. For me, it offers three days of anticipation instead of one! We will be on pins and needles waiting to see who wins the award at 5:00 pm each evening.” exclaims Ledford.
The exhibits are free and open to the public between 4:00 – 8:00 PM. All visitors are recognized as attending on their own volition. Masks are required as is social distancing. OCC is committed to following the safety practices offered in the CDC guidelines and take the health of the community as utmost importance. The alcoholic beverages will be credit cards only, and non-alcoholic beverages will be free self-serve to reduce touch points.
The six demonstrations require $20 pre-registration.For more information, please visit oxfordcc.org or contact the Oxford Community Center at 410-226-5904, email [email protected]. Sign up for OCC’s weekly e-newsletter for additional announcements and updates or like OCC’s Facebook page at Oxford Community Center, Inc. The Community Center is a non-profit 501(c)3. The OCC is always open online at www.oxfordcc.org.
Plein Air Easton is the work of the Avalon Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community on the Eastern Shore by creating accessible, uplifting arts, education, and cultural experiences that appeal to the interests of a diverse population and to ensure the long term viability of the historic Avalon Theatre.
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