For Immediate Release
Contact: Deb Litman
dlitman@alleganyarts.org
301.777.2787 (ARTS)
Allegany Arts Council to Host 11th Annual Mountain Maryland Plein Air Competition & Exhibition
CUMBERLAND, MD—The 11th Annual Mountain Maryland Plein Air Competition & Exhibition will take place June 15-19, 2021. This exciting event will bring 27 premiere plein air painters to Western Maryland from across the United States for a week of outdoor painting. Artists will scout out places to paint, rain or shine. After four days of painting, the artists will unveil their completed work. The format is fast, requires tremendous discipline and artistry, and separates the casual artist from those who can dream, paint and complete works in a brief period.
The Plein Air Competition is not just for artists, however. The events and activities surrounding the event are also perfect for those interested in observing and collecting the work of these talented painters. Be on the lookout for artists with their easels beginning Tuesday, June 15. Then join us for opportunities later in the week to watch artists work up-close and to purchase paintings.
A limited Preview Exhibition will take place June 16-19, featuring previous works of the Class of 2021 Mountain Maryland Plein Air artists. Each artist will contribute two works to the exhibit, which will be available in our gallery at 9 N. Centre Street, as well as online. The gallery will be open daily through the exhibition period from 11:00AM-5:00PM.
Friday, June 18, will feature a “Quick Draw” competition on the Downtown Cumberland mall from 10:00AM until 12:00PM (registration begins at 9AM). This timed, two-hour painting event is free and open to the juried Plein Air artists as well as anyone from the community with a desire to paint the views of Downtown Cumberland. Judging will begin at 12:15PM and completed Quick Draw paintings will be for sale.
On Friday afternoon, from 2:00PM-4:00PM, 2021 Mountain Maryland Plein Air Juror Nancie King Mertz will present a painting demonstration. During this free, interactive event, Mertz will demonstrate a start-to-finish painting and will answer your questions. To register for the demonstration, please call the Arts Council at 301-268-7407.
The week’s events will culminate with a Plein Air Reveal and Collector’s Reception, Saturday, June 19, from 6:00PM - 8:00PM at the Cumberland Country Club. The reveal event is one of the most exciting parts of Plein Air week, when our invited artists unveil and sell the work they have created. The evening will feature food, drink, and musical entertainment, and will be a fantastic indoor/outdoor evening to celebrate the arts in our community. Tickets for the event are available on our website at https://www.alleganyartscouncil.org/pleinair/schedule-of-events/.
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