Photograph by Ted Mueller at Plein Air Easton’s Meet the Artist dinner at Wye Town Farm in 2014.  Pictured Suzan Estelle Brice with granddaughter Madison Estelle Smith and daughter Alyson Brice Smith.

The Avalon Foundation (Plein Air Easton is the work of the Avalon Foundation) is proud to introduce its newest event to the nation’s largest outdoor painting competition, in celebration of the life of longtime supporter and art collector, Suzan Estelle Brice.  Fifty-eight juried artists from around the world will travel to the Eastern Shore to paint the landscape and to compete for thousands of dollars in cash prizes.  Artists at Plein Air Easton produce many paintings throughout the week but may submit only two paintings for judging. As the festival has grown, so have these works in size and scope.  This year, the artists will be required to paint one additional piece on a small 6” x 8” canvas.  These paintings will be judged by competition judge Tim Newton, before being locked away in a vault until 10am on Sunday, July 17. Only then will they will be brought out for exhibition and sale at Plein Air Easton’s first “Small Painting Sunday.”

Suzan Estelle Brice, 65, of Easton, MD passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD on May 24, 2016. Suzan was a patron of the arts and a member of the Avalon Foundation Board of Trustees.  “Suzan loved Plein Air Easton,” says Avalon Foundation General Manager Jess Bellis.  “Her home is filled with beautiful paintings, she hosted and befriended many artists over the years and she shared her love of Plein Air Easton with her children and even bought paintings in anticipation of grandchildren.” 

Suzan’s motto was THINK. No problem was ever unsolvable – Suzan would THINK her way through things and taught all those who knew her to do the same. Art festivals everywhere struggle with how to sustain excitement into the last day of the event.  For years, Avalon Foundation staff and volunteers have entertained varied concepts to encourage patrons to come into town and enjoy the festival’s programming on Sunday, or even to make one final pass at the artwork still on exhibition. “Small Painting Sunday feels like the perfect way to close out Plein Air Easton’s last day.  It will present 58 fresh works from our competition painters at both a size (for those who claim no more room on their walls) and a price that many more people can afford. It will allow everyone one more look at all of the beautiful competition paintings.  Suzan was very enthusiastic about this concept when I had the opportunity to share it with her recently.  I am sure she would have been in line to be one of the first through the doors.  I know her spirit will be felt all over the Festival.” explains Ms. Bellis.

Suzan Brice’s friends and family have rallied together to underwrite the cost of this new event, including $3,000 in additional prize money for the competing artists.  These friends hope that Plein Air Easton’s collectors, artists and the community at large will take to heart Suzan’s drive to live life to the fullest; that they will work to fill their world with art; that they will share that love of art with their children and grandchildren.  

Complete information about Plein Air Easton can be found at pleinaireaston.com

Suzan Estelle Brice’s complete obituary can be found at fhnfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Suzan-Brice/