It’s the 11th year of Plein Air Easton and rather than rest on the laurels of its 10th year celebration, the most successful to date, Plein Air Easton has reimagined some of its signature events: The Collectors Preview Party; Awards Ceremony; the Library; and the i.g. Burton BMW Competition Galleries. 

The plain fact is that the very success that made Plein Air Easton the largest and most prestigious outdoor painting competition in the United States has also created unwanted congestion.  “Let’s be honest,” stated Al Bond, Executive Director for the Avalon Foundation (Plein Air Easton is the work of the Avalon Foundation) “No one likes to stand in line or be packed into too little space.  Feedback from last year’s patrons really spoke to the need for a dramatic change.”

The solution: This year Plein Air Easton will occupy both the Academy Art Museum (106 South Street, Easton, MD) and the Waterfowl Festival Armory (40 South Harrison Street, Easton, MD). 

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The i.g. Burton BMW Competition Galleries will continue to be held in the front two galleries at the Academy Art Museum. Unlike years past, competition paintings will stay on the walls all weekend regardless of whether they are sold or win awards, making this the first time the general public will get to see the whole competition show. 

The Waterfowl Festival Armory will hold the Plein Air Easton Library Show, the Awards Ceremony and the Judge’s Talk. For the first time, all Library paintings will be viewable without pagers, lines, escorts or flipping through stacks of paintings.  In addition, each artist will have a space to highlight an example of their work on a gallery lit panel.  Moreover the Armory space will allow more space for people to attend the Awards and Judges talk.

Gallery designer, Pat Rogan, who was responsible for most of the design elements unveiled last year at the Avalon Theatre Artists’ Gallery, has once again been called in to assist with the build out, design and sound engineering of the new space.  “It is so exciting!” exclaims Jess Rogers, General Manager for the Avalon Foundation.  “I cannot wait to see it all come together.  I am so grateful for our dedicated volunteers & Friends of Plein Air that are working to make this exhibition possible.  The Armory is really going to undergo a massive transformation that no one is going to want to miss.  I am so pleased that our patrons will finally get to really see and purchase all of the artwork that is created as part of the Festival.” 

The Collectors Party will be held on Friday, July 17, 2015 at 7pm.  The evening will begin at the Academy Art Museum and then move to include more food, drinks and the Awards Ceremony in the Armory located directly across the street.  Patrons will have the opportunity to move and shop freely back and forth between both venues.  Tickets for the Collectors Party cost $150 and apply directly toward the purchase price of paintings in both venues all weekend.  These tickets always sell out quickly.  “I expect ticket sales to be even more brisk than usual. With all the changes, I think people are really going to want to check it out this year.  It will be interesting to watch people plan new buying/shopping strategies for the party.  Getting to the paintings of your dreams might require some additional thought.”  Explained Ms. Rogers. 

Purchase Collectors Preview Party tickets or by calling 410-822-7297.