Plein Air Quick Draw at the Baltimore County Ag Center

Plein air is painting outside - rather than in a studio. The term comes from the French ‘en plein air’, meaning ‘in the open air’. Popularized by Impressionists who were particularly interested in the influence of changing light and the effects of light on color when outdoors, plein air painting is now flourishing as its own art form.

As part of its ongoing exploration of the intersection between art and agriculture through its Arts on the Farm Initiative, MARC, in partnership with the Baltimore County Commission for Arts and Science, is pleased to host the first Arts on the Farm Plein Air Quick Draw. A Quick Draw event is timed. All artists begin with a blank canvas, and begin to paint when the farm bell rings. When the farm bell rings a second time, all artists are set up in the judging area where pieces are judged, awards presented, and sale of the pieces commence. MARC hopes that this will become not only an annual event, but a must-do event for plein air artists of all levels.

ARTISTS REGISTRATION:

Pre-registration fee is $10 for adults and $5 for youth. A $5 late fee will be applied to all artists registering the day of the event. This event is open to anyone who wishes to participate and has their own supplies and easels. Youth and adults will be judged separately. All artists may use any medium, but must paint in the plein air tradition.

Follow this link to register online: http://farmquickdraw.eventbrite.com

Click Here to Download and share an event flyer

Click here to Download a Kid’s Quick Draw Flyer

DATES AND TIMING:

Saturday, May 16 - 8:30 AM - Artists check in at the registration desk, and pay if they haven’t already. Deadline for pre-registration: Friday, May 8

8:30-10:00AM - Artists are free to explore the 149 acre farm park to scout out the perfect location. NOTE: The Ag-Center is a public park, and open everyday from sunrise to sunset. Artists are welcomed and encouraged to visit the park prior to the event to scout potential sites.

10:00 AM - The farm bell will sound and artists may begin painting en plein air style on any subject. No pre-painted or pre-drawn materials are allowed. Artists should begin with a blank canvas and paint in the spirit of plein air! The Quickdraw artwork must be created during the Quickdraw time frame.

At 12:30 PM The farm bell will sound. All Quickdraw artists must be set up in the exhibit/sale area (the tree-lined allee) for the judging and sale. There is little turnaround time, so please be prepared to have a title and price. A framed painting for judging is encouraged in order to create a finished presentation and will increase the sale of artwork.

1:30PM - Sale of artwork commences.

JUDGING/AWARDS:

All artists must be set up for judging by 12:30 PM .

Judging will begin at 12:30 PM EST and end at 1:15 PM

The Quickdraw Awards are announced and distributed

1st Place Adult - $200

2nd Place Adult - $100

3rd Place Adult - $50

SALES: Each artwork is required to be for sale and to have a title and a price written on the provided label. Each participating artist should consider Plein Air Quickdraw his or her gallery. There will be a 30% commission collected from the proceeds of each Quickdraw sale to help fund this event and future Arts on the Farm initiatives; any violators will be banned from future events.

SPECIAL GUESTS: MARC is securing live “nude” models - the four-legged variety to provide artists an opportunity to capture their essence on canvas.

Location: Baltimore County Ag-Center (1114 Shawan Rd - Cockeysville, MD 21030). The Baltimore County Ag-Center is 149 acres of pasture, crops, barns, woodlands, wetlands, demonstration gardens, a historic corn crib, scenic vistas, recreational trails, and more. It is a public Farm Park open 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset.