ABOUT the 2023 COMPETITION
Featured in the 2023 Plein Air Magazine Artists’ & Collectors’ Ultimate Guide to Painting Events & Organizations, the 9th Annual Paint Great Falls: Plein Air Competition will be held from Saturday May 20, 2023 to Saturday May 27, 2023.
Artists will paint “en plein air” (outside) without the assistance of photography anywhere in Great Falls, Virginia. The community is invited to watch artists paint throughout Great Falls as they move between locations. A list of recommended locations will be provided to all artists, including some private gardens.
This is a non-juried, open event and we encourage artists of all levels to participate.
Artist participation is limited to 35 artists. Registration is now full, but artists are welcome to join the waitlist. Please email Meralee Fredenburgh at meralee@artsofgreatfalls.org to join the waitlist. We will contact you if space becomes available. All artists can participate in the Quick Draw Competition. Registration in Paint Great Falls is not required. Quick Draw registration will start at 5pm the night of the event on Friday, May 26th.
(Note: Privately owned gardens will not be open to the public.)
HIGHLIGHTS
AWARDS
$2500 in cash awards!
QUICK DRAW COMPETITION
Friday, May 26th from 5:00-8:30pm outside the doors of
The Arts of Great Falls
756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066
5:00-5:30pm – Artist registration, canvas stamping & set-up.
5:30-7:30pm – Artists will paint under time pressure as the sun sets outside in the Village Centre Green.
7:45-8:30pm – Award Ceremony & Reception – Marcia Klioze, Judge, will evaluate all entries and select the 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners. An award ceremony and reception will follow.
Artist Registration: All artists can participate in the Quick Draw Competition. Walk-up registration starts at 5pm, is $20 per artist and includes up to 3 canvas stamps.
Registration in Paint Great Falls is not required.
PAINT GREAT FALLS ART SHOW & SALE
Saturday, May 27th, 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Everyone is invited to join us for the Paint Great Falls Art Show & Sale on the final day of the competition. We will celebrate all of the 2023 Paint Great Falls Plein Air Paintings. Bethanne Kinsella Cople, Judge, will select the winning paintings. The community is invited to meet the artists and all paintings are available for purchase.
ARTIST DETAILS
RULES for ARTWORK SUBMISSIONS
Artists may submit up to two (2) stamped artworks painted “en plein air” (outside) during the competition without the help of photography or work in the studio.
Artwork must be created in a two-dimensional medium, framed, and ready to hang. The canvas or paper cannot exceed 16″ x 20″ in size. All artwork submitted must be available for sale. Artists may submit their work anytime between Friday, May 26th through Saturday, May 27th at 3pm.
COMMISSION
All artwork sold during Paint Great Falls 2023 or the Paint Great Falls 2023 Exhibit are subject to a 25% commission payable to The Arts of Great Falls.
DETAILED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday May 20th – Saturday May 27th
9-10am – Daily Canvas Stamping at The Arts of Great Falls, 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066.
Paint All Day – Open Painting throughout Great Falls. Site recommendations will be provided to all registered artists, including access to privately owned gardens.
QUICK DRAW
Friday, May 26th
5:00-8:30pm
ELIGIBILITY: All artists can participate in the Quick Draw Competition. Registration in Paint Great Falls is not required.
5:00-5:30pm – Registration / Set-Up
Artists can register beginning at 5:00pm and then set-up in the Village Centre green before the competition starts at 5:30pm.
5:30-7:30pm – Paint in Village Centre Green
Artists will have two hours to paint as the sun sets. All paintings will be turned in for judging by 7:30pm. Frames are not required.
7:45-8:30pm – Award Reception
Marcia Klioze, Quick Paint Judge, will award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Refreshments will be served in the Arts of Great Falls Gallery at 756 Walker Road, Great Falls, VA 22066.
FINAL DAY SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 27th
12:00-1:00pm – Submit Paintings
Artists can submit up to two framed & ready-to-hang paintings by 1:00pm. Each painting must have a label taped to the back with the title, artists name, canvas dimensions, medium used and price. All artwork exhibited will be available for sale.
Art Show & Sale
7:00-8:30pm
Everyone is welcome to attend the art show & sale to see the paintings, celebrate the award winning artists, and shop for a Great Falls landscape painting. Bethanne Cople, Paint Great Falls Judge, will announce the award winners for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place plus Best Emerging Artist and Honorable Mention.
Paint Great Falls Exhibit
May 27 to June 17 Paintings will be exhibited in The Arts of Great Falls – Art School Gallery; with regular open gallery hours. All paintings will also be included in our online gallery.
1st Friday ArtWalk – Friday June 2nd from 6:00-8:00pm – Stoop by to see the exhibit at 1st Friday ArtWalk.
Art Pick-Up – Saturday June 17 from 12:00-3:00pm. All good things must come to an end. Artists must pick up their artwork by Saturday, June 17 at 3pm, before The Arts of Great Falls Summer Camps take over the Gallery space. We do not have sufficient storage space to ensure the safety of artwork left after June 17. Thank you for your understanding!
