Artists Capture Beauty Of Harford Co. During 12th Annual Plein Air Festival

BEL AIR, MD — The 12th annual Harford Plein Air Festival kicked off this week and features professional painters from across the country capturing the aesthetics of Harford County on canvas.

In the past 12 years since the art festival kicked off, more than 100 plein air painters have showcased their artist talent while competing to earn more than $100,000 in awards and sales.

This year, six of the participating artists hail from Harford County, Maryland Center for the Arts Executive Director Bob Willenbrink told Patch.

Considered among the most challenging forms of painting, plein air requires artists to paint landscapes outdoors, capturing the essence of a scene through natural light, color and movement.

The 30 juried artists participating in the 2026 festival can paint at various locations throughout Harford County and also have the option of submitting one painting from outside the county.

Willenbrink told Patch some of the most popular spots to paint in the county by artists, based on past years, are Jerusalem Mill, the Havre De Grace waterfront, the Susquehanna River and farms across the county.

The festival’s unique format allows painters to work at their own pace from July 1 through Sept. 11. On Friday, the community can meet the artists and celebrate the grand opening of the Harford Plein Air Gallery and awards reception from 6:30 to 9 p.m. There will be musical performances and refreshments. Attendees also can purchase artwork.

On Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m., juried and community artists will participate in the quick draw competition in downtown Bel Air. Artists have two hours to start and finish their paintings with judging by a professional artist, awards and sales afterward. Festival paintings will be available for viewing and purchase online through the end of October.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and again on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Harford Plein Air Exhibition and Sales
Gallery will be held at the Bel Air Armory.

"The gallery reception typically welcomes several hundred guests every year," Willenbrink said.

Then on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Young Artists Day, there will be painting activities and a quick draw competition for ages 13 to 17.

Artist Kathleen Kotarba told Patch that plain air painting is a French term that means "in the open air."

"The artist strives to capture the actual light, shadow, color and atmosphere of a specific place. This is often described as seeking a fidelity to time and place," Kotarba said.

Kotarba explained that plein air paintings can be done quickly in one outdoor session or after a series of site visits in order to capture a specific quality of light.

"Unlike with studio painting, the artist must interact in real time with the outdoor world. It affords artists a greater opportunity to observe the many details that might otherwise be missed. Plein air painting can engage the public to watch the creative process first hand. It provides a rich and immersive experience for both the artist and the viewer," Kotarba told Patch.

Historically, Plein Air painting is associated with the early 19th century French painters of the Barbizon School and later the Impressionists. There is a strong tie to American Impressionism, Kotarba said.

New this year, attendees have the opportunity to commission an original, custom piece of artwork from one of the festival's 30 participating artists. Whether it's a home, business, a portrait or a location that holds special meaning, an artist will bring it to life on canvas through this partnership. Commissions will go to support the Maryland Center for the Arts and its mission to bring affordable arts programming to Harford County and beyond.