Benicia, California, will be the location for a massive paint-out in late August featuring 60 regional artists looking to catch the discerning eye of judge Randy Sexton.
“This year we are doing something a little different,” says Samantha McNally, watercolorist and chair of the Benicia Plein Air Paint Out, now in its second year. “We are proud that the Benicia Plein Air Gallery will donate a portion of the proceeds of the sale of artworks produced to the Arts Benicia Youth Program. The donation will be used to fund scholarships for teens to attend art workshops and programs sponsored by Arts Benicia.”
The Teen Art Program encourages artistic exploration and development of technical skills in a variety of traditional and non-traditional 2-D and 3-D media through workshops taught by professional artists. “We are so pleased to join with the artists of the Benicia Plein Air Gallery to provide opportunities for teens to gain the skills and experiences they need to develop their artistic expression,” says Arts Benicia Executive Director Celeste Smeland. “Their support of these scholarships will make a difference for those young people that otherwise might not be able to participate.”
The Second Annual Paint Out will be hosted on August 26. Artists will check in at 8 a.m. and will hang work by 3 p.m. Via the event press release, “This competition is fortunate to have the renowned artist Randy Sexton as judge. He will choose First, Second, and Third Place winners and three Honorable Mentions, with cash prizes awarded to each. At the 4 p.m. awards ceremony, Mayor Elizabeth Patterson will honor each winner with the ribbons.
“Following the awards, the public is invited to a huge party and a sale of all the paintings that are produced that day. There will be music by an all-woman, four-piece Brazilian band named Gringa, and the public is invited to enjoy food and libations with plenty of time to see all the newly created artwork.” Registration is $40, and still open!
To learn more, visit Benicia Plein Air Gallery.
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