HAGERSTOWN, Md. — City Park will become an outdoor studio Aug. 8 as artists gather for the Plein Air Art Festival, a daylong celebration of painting, drawing and sketching inspired by nature and the historic setting of Hagerstown’s landmark park.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Hagerstown City Park, 501 Virginia Ave. The event theme is “History Is in Our Nature,” and organizers are inviting artists to bring their own supplies and create original works outdoors throughout the park.
Registration opens at 9 a.m. at the Jonathan Hager House, 110 Key St. Artists participating in the juried competition will need to have their canvas stamped at check-in before beginning work. On-site registration also will be available during the event.
Organizers are offering three participation levels. The basic level is free and includes a signed waiver, placement on the artist roster and event updates. The exhibition level costs $10 and secures a painting for display at the Valley Art Association or the Washington County Arts Council. The juried competition level costs $20 and includes eligibility for review by the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.
Artists who enter the juried competition may submit completed work electronically by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10. Selected pieces will be displayed in the museum’s Community Art Cases from Aug. 25 through Sept. 22. Artists chosen for exhibition will be notified by Aug. 14 and must deliver their work by Aug. 21. Pickup begins Sept. 29.
