Image credit (above): Kevin Beck. A Hint of Autumn. 2016. Oil on Canvas. 16 inches x 16 inches.
We are pleased to announce the 2018 Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival as a part of BRAHM Community Week. With Blowing Rock as the epicenter for this festival, artists are invited to take advantage of the beautiful High Country setting, set up their easels, and paint “en plein air.” This festival will take place on Friday, July 13th and Saturday, July 14th with a “Wet Paint Show & Sale” happening on the evening of July 14th at BRAHM. During the Wet Paint Show & Sale, public voting for awards in the People's Choice category will take place. Additionally, awards will be presented in the Artist's Choice category. Join featured artists Kim Abernethy, Kevin Beck, Joe Miller, Dwight Rose, and Jeremy Sams as they paint beautiful Blowing Rock.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival is organized by the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, a non-profit arts organization established in 1999 to promote visual arts, history and heritage of the mountains through educational programs, exhibitions, and significant permanent collections.
This year’s two-day Plein Air Festival will take place on July 13th and 14th. Registered artists must check in at BRAHM to have their canvas or paper stamped prior to beginning work. The festival will include artist awards and an opportunity to sell work created during the event to the public. On July 13th, the starting day of the event, artists will check in at BRAHM beginning at 9:00 AM. There will be a welcome cocktail reception for registered artists, sponsors, and BRAHM members on the evening of July 13th. The festival will conclude on the evening of July 14th with an exhibition and sale of the art created over the two days of painting. Artists may paint at a variety of locations of their choosing within a defined area surrounding the town of Blowing Rock. All paintings must be done “en plein air” during the days of the event without the aid of photography, and with a 16" X 20" maximum artwork size. All submitted artwork, up to a maximum of two paintings, will be available for sale at the exhibition and sale. Any unsold art must be collected by the artist at the conclusion of the exhibition.
Hands-on plein air workshops will also be held at BRAHM in the week preceding the festival including:
Acrylic Plein Air Workshop with Mary Dobbin
Watercolor Plein Air Workshop with Dwight Rose
ENTRY PROCESS
The Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival is a public paint out, exhibition, and sale. Registration and secure payments may be made online.
A 30% commission on all artwork sold during the Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival will be retained by BRAHM, with all event sales handled by BRAHM. All proceeds from the registration and art sale will go towards fulfilling the mission of BRAHM in the community. Payment to artists for awards and work sold will be mailed within 30 days after the event ends.
Registration for BRAHM members prior to June 30th is $30. After July 1, registration for BRAHM members is $35 per person.
Registration for BRAHM nonmembers prior to June 30th is $45. After July 1, non-BRAHM member registration is $50.
Open to all registered artists 12 years and older and in 2 dimensional medium including oils, acrylics, watercolor, gouache, mixed media, and pastels.
ARTIST AWARDS
BRAHM will announce the awards just prior to closing the Exhibition and Art Sale. Awards include cash and in-kind sponsor donations of artist materials. There will be two categories of awards: People’s Choice, and Artists’ Choice.
EVENT CALENDAR
Friday, July 13, 2018
9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Artists check-in at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, 159 Chestnut Street, Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to obtain their information packet and have their blank canvases stamped for the event. Only artwork with a stamp will be permitted in the Exhibition and Sale. Artists are then free to paint within identified areas (map included in packet). Coffee and refreshments available from 9:00-10:00 a.m.
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Welcome cocktail reception for juried artists and sponsors. Wear your nametag for admission!
Saturday, July 14, 2018
9:00 a.m. -12:00 noon: Newly arriving artists check-in at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, 159 Chestnut Street, Blowing Rock, to obtain their information packet and have their blank canvases/papers stamped for the event. Only artwork with a stamp will be permitted in the Exhibition and Sale. Artists are then free to paint within surrounding areas (map included in packet). Coffee and refreshments available from 9:00-10:00 a.m.
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.: Art setup timeframe. No more than two paintings from each artist created during the two-day event are due to the BRAHM Community room, wired and ready to hang. Artwork Information tags and an art inventory form (included in your information packet) must be filled out for each painting.
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.: Wet Paint Show & Sale. (Voting/Judging of artwork 5:00-6:00 PM only). Public and participating artists are welcome to place votes for best work. All sales are handled by BRAHM staff.
6:30 p.m.: Artists return for the Awards Ceremony. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded.
6:30 - 7:00 p.m.: Artists will collect any unsold paintings at the conclusion of the evening’s reception. Sold artwork can be claimed by purchasers with receipt. Shipping of artwork should be coordinated between the artist and the purchaser.