[Bel Air, MD] July 15, 2015— The Center for the Visual and Performing Arts (CFA) announces the organization’s first International Plein Air Painting Festival to be held October 7-11, 2015 at various sites around Harford County. Painters from around the world as well as those locally-based are invited to paint outdoors in this five-day event, which is open to amateurs and professionals age 18 and older. A jury comprised of local government representatives and artists will award cash prizes of $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $100 for third place.
The public is invited to watch the artists at work during the event and will also have the opportunity to meet them and view and purchase finished paintings during a free reception, exhibition and sale at Rockfield Manor in Bel Air on October 11 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The reception will be catered by Pairings Bistro and feature live music. A portion of the proceeds from painting sales will go to Center for the Arts. Unsold paintings will be on display through October 15. Additional painting activities will be held throughout the county in conjunction with the Plein Air Festival, including a live demonstration for children at Broom’s Bloom Dairy on Saturday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m.
Plein Air painting is a French term that refers to painting outdoors. The style was first used in 1884. Participating painters in the Harford County plein air event are invited to paint anywhere in Harford County choosing from a variety of outdoor landscapes, including rural farms, historic buildings and the Havre de Grace waterfront (more details to be announced).
According to Laura Musser, primary organizer of the Harford County Plein Art Painting Festival and Center for the Arts’ Board Trustee and Secretary, “Center for the Arts is dedicated to nurturing art and artists and making art more accessible to everyone in the community. The Plein Air Festival is just another way to do this, as well as to showcase the beauty of our county. We anticipate this event sparking an increase in tourism as Harford County becomes known as a destination for general visitors as well as professional artists.” She adds, “These guests will help boost our local economy and support small businesses as they shop our art supply stores and boutiques, dine at local eateries and utilize hotels and bed and breakfasts in the area. Once built, the Center for the Arts will be able to offer even more opportunities like this for artists and art lovers alike to enjoy.”
Artists interested in participating must bring their own supplies and register by September 1 at www.harfordca.org. Registration fee is $25.
About the Center for the Visual and Performing Arts (www.harfordcfa.org)–Founded in 2005, the Center for the Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a permanent site for performance, display, and education in the arts in Harford County, Maryland. The mission of the Center for the Arts is to nurture art and artists, and positively impact the community at large by providing a broad range of experiences in music, dance, theater, visual and literary arts.
