Plein Air Easton

Plein Air Easton Art Festival
Plein Air Easton is the largest and most prestigious juried plein air painting competition in the United States.  Celebrating its 18th year in 2022, the competition is held in Easton, Maryland each July.  Plein air painters produce art from life (as opposed to in the studio). Artists from all over the United States and beyond apply to this competition beginning December 1st of the previous year.  Fifty-eight artists will be juried into the competition by a unique juror each year. Once selected, competing artists will travel to Talbot County to paint throughout the week. Next July's competition will take place July 17th through the 24th.  Many of the world's most accomplished artists have Easton at the top of their wish list of competitions and we will continue to set the bar for excellence in the coming year.

The pandemic continued to bring special challenges to the planning process. Plein Air Easton modified the format even still for 2021 to incorporate more community involvement from the neighboring towns of Tilghman, Oxford, and St. Michaels with extended gallery exhibits and an artwork inventory that rotated throughout the better part of the week. The event was billed as a 'Plein Air Road Trip' with opportunities to learn, watch, listen and buy art at many points along the way. The pandemic has taught our organization many things, not the least of which has been the incredible resilience and strength of teamwork between the Avalon Foundation Staff and Board, community shareholders, and volunteers that work so tirelessly to not only bring this festival to life but to do so safely and mindfully during a global health concern.

Quick Facts:

Art sales for Plein Air Easton 2021 event topped $495,000 with 400 paintings sold over the course of the week.
The usual sales pace for the Collectors' Preview Party sees a painting sold every 45 seconds during a 90 minute period.
Plein Air Easton’s Quick Draw is open to any artist (any age) with $10 and ambition.  Nearly 200 artists paint for 2 hours in downtown Easton and the event culminates in an outdoor exhibit and sale along South Harrison Street.
Plein Air Easton, privately-owned galleries, and arts organizations program demos, workshops, exhibits, and lectures throughout the week.
Plein Air Easton is at the center of the modern plein air movement.  Easton is making history and the work produced here has importance beyond the daily joy of seeing original artwork in your home.  We invite you to experience the vibrancy and artistic excellence of Plein Air Easton and to be a part of the history being made here.  Please contact the Plein Air Easton Information Hotline at 410-822-7297 or info@pleinaireaston.com for more information about how you can participate and/or show your support.