Pre-Plein Air Easton Paint Out Set for Tilghman Island July 9

Plein Air Easton, the largest and most prestigious outdoor painting competition in the country, is getting ready for what organizers hope to be its most successful year ever. The official
competition spans July 11-19, and for the last several years the Avalon Foundation has been encouraging its juried competition artists to travel to Talbot County early.

“Especially, artists that are new to the competition can feel overwhelmed when they first arrive. The Plein Air Easton steering committee came up with the idea that we could plan a few events prior to the Festival and invite the artists to arrive early. It gives them a chance to get settled and familiarize themselves with the local landscape.” explains Jess Rogers, General Manager of the Avalon Foundation.

Then, three years ago the Foundation decided that the artists did not require very structured events and could just arrive early and explore on their own. “I was shocked at the pushback we received from painters,” exclaims Rogers “they all wanted to know what kind of events we were
scheming and we truly had nothing planned.”

With only a couple of weeks left before the festival, the Avalon reached out to Cassandra Vanhooser, Talbot Tourism and Mary Kellogg, Tilghman Watermen’s Museum. “They really saved the day.” Rogers continued.

With a crew of volunteers (rallied by the Museum) and the generosity of Buddy Harrison, Jr., the first annual Tilghman Island Pre-Plein Air Easton paint out occurred and was an overwhelming success.

Now after three short years, the Paint Out has become a sought after event that artists and collectors flock towards. In this event, artists can arrive as early as 6 am (to catch that pre-dawn glow) to have their canvases stamped for what has become its own mini-competition, exhibition and sale. After a day of painting, artists check in their finished works at Harrison’s Chesapeake House in order to compete for a $1,000 artists’ choice award, sponsored by the Tilghman Waterman’s Museum presented that evening. Harrison’s Chesapeake House continues to sponsor a complimentary traditional Eastern Shore dinner for the competing artists in conjunction with the awards ceremony.

“We are also very pleased to add a Kids Paint Out this year during the Plein Air Easton Tilghman Paint out,” explains Mary Kellogg, “fifteen kids ranging from elementary to high school will be paired with local artists during ‘paint time’.” The resulting artworks will be displayed at Harrison’s Chesapeake House along with the paintings produced by the competition painters, where the kids will select peer winners.

Everybody is welcome to come to Harrison’s Chesapeake House (21551 Chesapeake House Drive, Tilghman Island) to meet the artists, view and purchase the work that was created that day. “It is just such a great time and a great opportunity, both for people to take in the beauty of Tilghman Island and also to get familiar with the artistic stylings of the competition painters. I hope to see a lot of people there.” Rogers concludes.

For complete information about Plein Air Easton visit www.pleinaireaston.com

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