2021 Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival
Information for Buyers
Attend the Wet Paint Sale
All sale reservations are filled. You are welcome to come to BRAHM between 2:00-5:00 pm Saturday, August 21, 2021 and stand by in our other galleries for openings to the Wet Paint Show as time and space allows.
Past Wet Paint Sales have included both emerging as well as established professional artists. They are a unique opportunity to purchase art of Blowing Rock landmarks and meet the artists, all while contributing to our community outreach and education programs.
The general public may view the Wet Paint Show & Sale on Saturday, August 21st between 2:00 - 5:00 pm. Timed entry tickets will be reserved online.
All previously unsold artwork will be available for purchase at that time.
All pieces must remain on display until 5:00 pm.
BRAHM handles all sales and retains a 30% commission as a fundraiser for our non-profit community programs.
***Update, unsold pieces from the Wet Paint sale will remain on view at the museum through the end of September. ***
Click below to see a list of this year’s participating artists:
Exhibition & Wet Paint Sale
2020 Blowing Rock Plein Air Wet Paint Sale
The Wet Paint sale will remain on view at the museum through the end of September.
The festival will conclude on the evening of August 21st with an exhibition and sale of the art created over the four days of painting.
Each registered artist may submit up to TWO paintings to be available for viewing and purchase at the exhibition and Wet Paint sale
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.
Any "off the easel" sales during the event will be asked to make a donation to BRAHM comparable to the event commission.
Any unsold art must be collected by the artist at the conclusion of the exhibition.
The Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival is a four-day plein air painting event. It takes place in the beautiful mountainous area surrounding the town of Blowing Rock in western North Carolina. Its aim is to bring painters together from around the world to paint outside in the fresh air while getting to know each other and sharing their work. The event prompts applicants to explore the unique Blowing Rock architecture, spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain views, and overall Appalachian feel of one of the most scenic areas in the country.
After four days of painting "en plein air," painters are invited to display their completed works at the "Wet Paint" Art Show & Sale on Saturday afternoon, August 21st. Collectors and the public are invited to attend this impressive display of Plein Air paintings to both view and purchase the unique works that highlight the incredible beauty of the High Country.
All submitted art to the art show will be entered into a judged plein air painting competition. Awards will be given in two categories, Registered and Emerging Artists.
Visit BlowingRock.com for lodging information. This is a busy tourism season, so book lodging early.
Schedule
Wednesday, August 18th
Artist check-in from 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Paint until dusk
Thursday, August 19th - Saturday, August 21st
Artists continue painting until art drop off by 11:00 am on Saturday (see details below)
Saturday, August 21st, 2021
9:00 - 11:00 am: Art Drop off. (Artists may drop off work anytime Saturday before the deadline of 11:00 am. Please complete paperwork in advance.)
1:00 – 2:00 pm: Ticketed Patron Preview and Judging
2:00 - 5:00 pm: Awards Ceremony, Public Reception, Wet Paint Show
5:00 pm: Artists collect any unsold paintings if they do not wish to participate in the extended sale. Sold artwork claimed by purchasers with receipt.
5:00 pm: Artist pickup of unsold works.
Registration
All artists should have registered online in advance of the event. Your festival name badge entitles you to free admission to local attractions during the festival for the purpose of painting on site.
$50/55 early bird registration- through June 30, 2021
$55/60 regular registration- July 1 – July 31, 2021
$60/65 “at the door” registration August 1 - August 18, 2021
We are no longer accepting artist registrations, as the event is full. Please join us for the Wet Paint Sale and Show Saturday, August 21, 2021, or stay tuned for 2022 information soon.
Check-in
Registered artists check-in at BRAHM the afternoon of Wednesday, August 18, 2021 between 3:00 and 5:00 pm (or if needed, between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm Thursday, or Friday) to have their canvas or paper stamped prior to beginning work to be eligible for entry in the Saturday show and sale.
Blowing Rock Plein Air Competition
All submitted art to the Wet Paint Art Show & Sale (see information below) will be entered into a juried plein air painting competition.
Judging Panel: Judging will be performed by a panel selected by BRAHM that will include a mix of professional artists, collectors, and curators.
Awards Ceremony: BRAHM will announce the awards at 2:00 pm Saturday during the public exhibition and art sale.
Awards include: cash and in-kind sponsor donations of artist materials.
Information for Artists
We are no longer accepting artist registrations, as the event is full. Please join us for the Wet Paint Sale and Show Saturday, August 21, 2021, or stay tuned for 2022 information soon.
Painting En Plein Air
Artists may paint at a variety of locations of their choosing within the area surrounding the picturesque town of Blowing Rock. This includes incredible vistas, landscapes, gardens, landmarks, architecture, and street scenes. We encourage artists to paint at our patrons’ locations. A map of suggested locations is provided two weeks prior to the festival.
We also encourage you to take a look at our list of sponsor businesses, they have demonstrated a willingness to support the arts and might make good subjects for work more likely to sell. Well known landmarks are also popular with buyers.
Last years' sold pieces included everything from street scenes, to local landmarks, florals, to scenic vistas and lake landscapes.
Eligibility
Open to all registered artists 12 years and older
Paintings must be two-dimensional medium including oils, acrylics, watercolor, gouache, mixed media, and pastels.
All paintings must be done “en plein air” outside, in natural lighting during the time frame of the event.
Artists may stamp an unlimited number of canvases but will submit only up to two pieces for the Wet Paint Show and Sale and awards.
Canvases must be free of images prior to stamping, though a solid base coat of paint is allowed.
All work is to be done in a two-dimensional medium, wired for hanging and framed properly with an open back to facilitate viewing of the festival stamp on the back.
Plein Air Painting with Scott Boyle
Monday, August 16th, 2021 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM AND
Tuesday, August 17th, 2021 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
$210 general admission / $198 BRAHM Members
This class roster is now full. You may add your name to a waitlist here.
Take your paints outside with North Carolina landscape painter Scott Boyle for a 2-day plein air workshop in beautiful Blowing Rock, NC. The workshop will consist of a brief lecture, group discussions, outdoor painting demonstrations, and student painting opportunities. Scott will paint 2 demonstration paintings and students will have a chance to complete 2-4 paintings each
Become an Event Sponsor
Opportunities to provide patronage of this event vary from the $250 level up. Patrons/Sponsors receive entry into the special Patron Preview on Saturday, August 21st at 1:00 pm, one hour before the general public is admitted.
The Patron Preview allows our sponsors to view the show before the general public, in order to best select artwork to be purchased for their home or business collection.
Please note: Even if already purchased, all pieces must remain on display until 5:00 pm to allow for all work to be viewed and enjoyed by the public.
2020 Blowing Rock Plein Air Wet Paint Sale
Special Thanks to Our 2021 Plein Air Festival Sponsors
Show your support for the Visual Arts by becoming a sponsor
contact Jennifer Garonzik with sponsorship questions
Lodging
Numerous lodging options are available to meet a variety of tastes and budgets. We recommend making arrangements early, as demand is especially high this sesason.
Visit BlowingRock.com for lodging information.
You may also visit at ExploreBoone.com, ExploreCaldwell.com, and HighCountryHost.com
Take your paints outside with North Carolina landscape painter Scott Boyle during a 3-day plein air workshop in beautiful Blowing Rock, North Carolina.