Plein Air Olney is an event that is being sponsored by The Olney Farmers & Artists Market with two goals in mind. First; to raise awareness in the community of the natural features, historic sites, museums, merchants and wonderful events found in Olney and the surrounding areas. The second goal is; to celebrate our strong artistic community by sharing an open air painting and drawing event with the public. All are welcome to participate, professional and amateur alike. We will have a special children’s category too!  Artists will be at designated sites through out the Olney area, on two schedueled week ends, working on paintings or drawings. The public will be invited to drop by and discover the creations as they evolve!

Download Application

Check out our Plein Air Participants List

Painting “en PLEIN AIR” is an approach to painting that developed in the mid-19th century in France. In the 1870’s, paint began to be available in tubes and the box easel or French Easel was developed. These two developments enabled artists to get out of the studio into the environment and paint from observation. The artist stands at an easel and views the area that he/she is in and paints “alla prima” (all at once) to capture the scene at a particular time of day. The painting is made without photographic reference.

CALENDAR:

May 17	Prospectus available at OF & A Mkt. & Website
June 28	Entries due
Aug 30	Site selection – There will be a map available for site selection. All sites will be numbered. At the site selection artists will register the number of canvases/paper being entered by having them stamped. The stamp certifies the artist’s registration and site selection.  Plein Air Warm Ups! Workshops 10:00 AM –    1:00PM Tara S.Holl and Roberta M.Staat will each conduct free demonstrations of Plein Air techniques. See OF & A Mkt. Website for descriptions of workshops
Sept 26-27	Paint Days between 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Oct 3	Paint Day between 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Oct 4	Paint Day at Market  9:00AM – 1:00PM
Oct 4	All work that is being entered for display at area merchants and the Sandy Spring Show and Gala Event is to be collected/dropped off at Farmers & Artists Market by Oct. 11
Oct 11-17	Works to be displayed at various merchants in Olney & surrounding areas, locations listed on OF & A Mkt. website People’s Choice votes will be cast during this time
Oct 19-23	Works will be displayed at Sandy Spring Museum
Oct 24	Evening Gala/Auction at Sandy Spring Museum
Oct 24	Prizes awarded to artists
Oct 25	All remaining works must be picked up by artists

Eligibility	This event is open to all who wish to participate. There will be a children’s category
Awards	There will be an assortment of “delightful” awards from The Olney Farmers & Artists Market, artists, and participating merchants.
Possible Catagories	Adult, 14-18 years, 6-13 years
Specifications	Paintings/Drawings are to be done on site, no photographs will be permitted, no additional work can be done in studio
Requirements	All entries are to stay within the following size requirements;          minimum size - 12” x 12” maximum size - 24” x 36” All Artists will make one piece of work available for auction. Auction pieces are to be framed or matted (which ever is appropriate for the medium). Very reasonable and attractive framing is available for order from us! See the information on the OF & A Mkt. website! *There is no limit as to how many works you can create during the specified Painting Days and you will be permitted to submit as many works into the Auction as space permits
Sales	Works will be auctioned off at the GALA event at the Sandy Spring Friends Museum on Oct 24, time to be announced
Entry	Artists must pick up prospectus at Olney Farmers & Artists Market, other merchant locations, or download form above Entries are due by August 28, 2009

Artists are highly encouraged to attend the GALA Event on Oct 24 to meet their patrons and receive awards!

For more information contact Tara S. Holl 301-570-5173