The 20th Annual Plein Air Easton (PAE) Competition and Art Festival on Sunday, July 21st. Organized by the Avalon Foundation, this 10-day Maryland festival achieved art sales exceeding $500,000 for the second consecutive year.
In celebration of its 20th anniversary, PAE introduced new features to honor its rich history and to express gratitude to those who have contributed to its success, including the selection of its founder, esteemed artist Nancy Tankersley, to serve as this year’s judge, a celebrated exhibit In the Academy Art Museum honoring her work over the same twenty years, and a special Plein Air Easton Alumni Paint-out highlighting properties in conservation. Overall, it was a celebration of art, legacy, gratitude, and community.
Juried artists embarked on their creative journey with a canvas-stamping and orientation event on July 11. Eager to capture the essence of the region, they were prepared to paint from life for the next seven days. July 12, downtown galleries and merchants buzzed with excitement with the arrival of artists and celebrated the start of PAE with specials, a shop-to-win raffle, live music, and even a captivating radio show.
At the Meet the Artists Party on July 13, we saw easels dot the landscape of a private estate in Talbot County. Art collectors, supporters, and onlookers strolled through garden rooms and roamed the grounds while the Wyman’s signature black sheep grazed and paintings of the bucolic landscape were created before their eyes.
Paint-outs in Oxford and Tilghman were held on July 14 and July 15 respectively. While the juried artists could be found sprinkled throughout Tilghman Island during the day, PAE Alumni artist Mark Shasha gave a standing-room-only painting demonstration.
PAE Invited Alumni artists were invited to paint properties to highlight conservation efforts. Fifteen artists participated and exhibited their works in a pop-up exhibit. The winning painting, judged by Nancy Tankersley, was by Debra Huse who, in addition to a monetary prize, will also be extended an invitation to compete in the 2025 Plein Air Easton Competition and Festival.
All week the exhibit in the PAE Headquarters was dynamic as new art by the juried artists flowed in as the week progressed and purchased art went to new homes. In addition to the exhibit of hundreds of paintings, the Headquarters was the place where visitors could enjoy artist demos and interviews by PAE Alumni artists Lisa Egeli, Mick McAndrews, Russell Jewell, Mark Shasha, and Debra Huse.
The 58 competition artists handed in two completed works each on July 18 to be considered by event judge, Nancy Tankersley, who focused on selecting the award winners from a spectacular body of combined work. The Grand Prize went to Robert Simone for his painting “The Shipwright’s Apprentice” and the Artists’ Choice Award went to Orville Giguiento for his painting “Ship-Shape.”
On Saturday, July 20, the weather for Plein Air Easton’s famous Quick Draw was typically humid but with temps in the low 80s, the conditions were pleasant and the mood light and fun while nearly 200 artists took to the streets. Juried artist David Orrin Smith won First Place overall, and Eleanor Tanno won First Place in the non-competition artist category.
Each year, Plein Air Easton hosts a vibrant Plein Air Painting Camp at the Avalon Theatre, fostering creativity and mentorship for aspiring young artists. Led by local public school educators, the camp provides a nurturing environment where 26 campers received guidance and encouragement.
Finally, on Sunday, July 21, the festival culminated with Small Painting Sunday (held in honor of Suzan Estelle Brice in celebration of a life well-lived) and the Judge’s Talk, during which Tankersley eloquently explained her award choices, and bestowed the final round of Small Painting Sunday awards. Jill Basham took home Small Painting Sunday First Place, followed by Zufar Bikbov, Daniel Robbins, and Olena Babak with second, third, and honorable mentions respectively.
To learn more, please visit www.pleinaireaston.com.
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