2013
Easels In Frederick Events Slated for June 18-22
Preparations for the third annual Easels in Frederick celebration of plein-air painting are well under way, with volunteer committee members coordinating the multi-faceted event. Thirty professional, juried artists from around the nation will descend upon Frederick beginning June 18 to paint en plein air (in open air) throughout Frederick County. Each is invited to submit four completed works to be judged for cash prizes, exhibited, and sold at the William Talley Recreation Center in Frederick’s Baker Park, June 21-22.
Selection of the juried artists, based on submitted portfolio samples, will be made by well-known plein-air artist George Strickland of Arizona, and announced publicly in early March.
“The exhibition of more than 100 paintings is really an artistic celebration of Frederick County,” said Marita Loose, who is co-chairing the event with Ginger Edington and Connie Schlee. “There is really something breathtaking about seeing local scenes captured on canvas in a way no one has before. It’s a great display for anyone who appreciates art and the area’s striking beauty.”
Preparations for the third annual Easels in Frederick celebration of plein-air painting are well under way, with volunteer committee members coordinating the multi-faceted event. Thirty professional, juried artists from around the nation will descend upon Frederick beginning June 18 to paint en plein air (in open air) throughout Frederick County. Each is invited to submit four completed works to be judged for cash prizes, exhibited, and sold at the William Talley Recreation Center in Frederick’s Baker Park, June 21-22.
Selection of the juried artists, based on submitted portfolio samples, will be made by well-known plein-air artist George Strickland of Arizona, and announced publicly in early March.
“The exhibition of more than 100 paintings is really an artistic celebration of Frederick County,” said Marita Loose, who is co-chairing the event with Ginger Edington and Connie Schlee. “There is really something breathtaking about seeing local scenes captured on canvas in a way no one has before. It’s a great display for anyone who appreciates art and the area’s striking beauty.”
While
the painting area has been limited to downtown Frederick in years past, the
2013 event will allow artists to paint anywhere in Frederick County. “Frederick
County has so many diverse and beautiful locations, from the Catoctin Mountains
to the rural landscapes and small towns,” said Ms. Edington. “The committee
felt it would be beneficial to the artists, the public, and the community at
large to expand the geographic painting area this year.”
Following four days of intense painting in weather that has, in years past, been mercurial, artists will submit their favorite four paintings for exhibition and judging, vying for cash prizes of $14,000. Recognized Pennsylvania-based plein-air painter Rob Donoughe will serve as the event judge, determining which work will be the recipient of awards, including the $5,000 grand prize.
Winners will be announced at the Collectors Preview on Friday, June 21, a $50 ticketed event with wine and hors d'oeuvres, where ticket-holders have the first opportunity to see and purchase the artwork and to vote for the Collectors Choice winner. On Saturday afternoon, the exhibit opens to the public free of charge and offers attendees the chance to vote for the People’s Choice prize recipient.
Ms. Schlee notes that participation in Easels in Frederick is not limited to the juried artists. A Saturday morning Quick Draw contest on June 22, taking place on six blocks of downtown Frederick, opens the competition to artists of all experience levels. Approximately 70 artists participated in last year’s timed “paint against the clock” event. For 2013, the Quick Draw contest will offer $1,500 in cash prizes and the ability for artists to sell their work on the spot.
“It really is something of a spectacle to see such a concentrated group of artists working at the same time, almost side by side,” according to Ms. Schlee. “We expect an even larger turnout this year, making it a real sidewalk art market.”
Easels in Frederick is produced by a committee of volunteers and made possible financially through art exhibit sales and the financial support of local residents and businesses. “The event provides some wonderful sponsorship benefits for those who want to be aligned with the arts,” said Carolyn Greiner, who is chairing the event’s fundraising committee.
Easels in Frederick is a partner of the Frederick Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) organization, making contributions and ticket purchases tax deductible within the limits of the law.
In addition to Ms. Loose, Ms. Edington, Ms. Schlee and Ms. Greiner, the Easels in Frederick planning committee includes: Colleen Clapp, geography chair; Audrey Farnsworth and Linda Postelle, art management co-chairs; Jennifer Finley, Quick Draw chair; Caron Thornton; Carol Topchik; Gale Kaufman, budget manager; Karlys Kline, volunteer recruitment chair; Barbara Maghan; Harriet Wise; Vicki Glenn, artist services co-chair; Lucy Hogan; Linda Moran; Cam Miller, exhibit/reception chair; Alix Albright; Jenifer Dobbins; Kate Kuranda; Tameria Martinez; Janney Marshall; Betsy Fisher; Chrisse Hassett; Cristy Stup, marketing/public relations co-chair; Mike McCrossin; Lauren Kremers; Sandra Steele.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Ms. Greiner at 301-865-0934.
Registration for the Quick Draw contest and ticket information concerning the Collectors Preview will be available April 1, 2013 on the event website: easelsinfrederick.com.
Following four days of intense painting in weather that has, in years past, been mercurial, artists will submit their favorite four paintings for exhibition and judging, vying for cash prizes of $14,000. Recognized Pennsylvania-based plein-air painter Rob Donoughe will serve as the event judge, determining which work will be the recipient of awards, including the $5,000 grand prize.
Winners will be announced at the Collectors Preview on Friday, June 21, a $50 ticketed event with wine and hors d'oeuvres, where ticket-holders have the first opportunity to see and purchase the artwork and to vote for the Collectors Choice winner. On Saturday afternoon, the exhibit opens to the public free of charge and offers attendees the chance to vote for the People’s Choice prize recipient.
Ms. Schlee notes that participation in Easels in Frederick is not limited to the juried artists. A Saturday morning Quick Draw contest on June 22, taking place on six blocks of downtown Frederick, opens the competition to artists of all experience levels. Approximately 70 artists participated in last year’s timed “paint against the clock” event. For 2013, the Quick Draw contest will offer $1,500 in cash prizes and the ability for artists to sell their work on the spot.
“It really is something of a spectacle to see such a concentrated group of artists working at the same time, almost side by side,” according to Ms. Schlee. “We expect an even larger turnout this year, making it a real sidewalk art market.”
Easels in Frederick is produced by a committee of volunteers and made possible financially through art exhibit sales and the financial support of local residents and businesses. “The event provides some wonderful sponsorship benefits for those who want to be aligned with the arts,” said Carolyn Greiner, who is chairing the event’s fundraising committee.
Easels in Frederick is a partner of the Frederick Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) organization, making contributions and ticket purchases tax deductible within the limits of the law.
In addition to Ms. Loose, Ms. Edington, Ms. Schlee and Ms. Greiner, the Easels in Frederick planning committee includes: Colleen Clapp, geography chair; Audrey Farnsworth and Linda Postelle, art management co-chairs; Jennifer Finley, Quick Draw chair; Caron Thornton; Carol Topchik; Gale Kaufman, budget manager; Karlys Kline, volunteer recruitment chair; Barbara Maghan; Harriet Wise; Vicki Glenn, artist services co-chair; Lucy Hogan; Linda Moran; Cam Miller, exhibit/reception chair; Alix Albright; Jenifer Dobbins; Kate Kuranda; Tameria Martinez; Janney Marshall; Betsy Fisher; Chrisse Hassett; Cristy Stup, marketing/public relations co-chair; Mike McCrossin; Lauren Kremers; Sandra Steele.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Ms. Greiner at 301-865-0934.
Registration for the Quick Draw contest and ticket information concerning the Collectors Preview will be available April 1, 2013 on the event website: easelsinfrederick.com.
