2022 Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival
Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival!
The 2022 Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival has reached capacity for artists!
The Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival is a four-day, open enrollment plein air painting event. It takes place in the beautiful mountainous area surrounding the town of Blowing Rock in western North Carolina, from Tuesday, August 16th, to Saturday, August 20th, 2022. Its aim is to bring painters together from around the world to paint outside in the fresh air while getting to know each other and sharing their work. The event prompts applicants to explore the unique Blowing Rock architecture, spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain views, and overall Appalachian feel of one of the most scenic areas in the country.
After four days of painting "en plein air," painters are invited to display their completed works at the "Wet Paint" Art Show & Sale on Saturday, August 20th. Collectors and the public are invited to attend this impressive display of Plein Air paintings to both view and purchase the unique works that highlight the incredible beauty of the High Country.
All submitted art to the art show will be entered into a judged plein air painting competition. Artist Registration is below. Wet Paint Sale shopping reservations will be made available Spring 2022. For sponsorship information, contact Jennifer@BlowingRockMuseum.org .
Visit BlowingRock.com for lodging information. This is a busy tourism season, so book lodging early.
Information for Buyers
The festival will conclude on August 20th from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm with an exhibition and sale of the art created over the four days of painting. The Wet Paint sale of unsold art will remain on view and for sale at the museum through the end of September.
Past Wet Paint Sales have included both emerging as well as established professional artists. They are a unique opportunity to purchase art of Blowing Rock landmarks and meet the artists, all while contributing to our community outreach and education programs.
The general public may view the Wet Paint Show & Sale on Saturday, August 20th between 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Timed entry tickets may be reserved here.
All previously unsold artwork will be available for purchase at that time.
All pieces must remain on display until 5:00 pm.
BRAHM handles all sales and retains a 30% commission as a fundraiser for our non-profit community programs.
Sponsors
Enjoy special benefits including advertising co-ops, website links, and admission to the Patron Preview sale while supporting the outreach and mission of BRAHM in our community. Contact Jennifer@BlowingRockMuseum.org for more information.
A special preview sale will be held at 10:00 am on August 20th for festival sponsors above the $250 level and BRAHM Daingerfield Society Members.
- 2021 Wet Paint Sale Submissions -
Information for Artists
Painting En Plein Air
Artists may paint at a variety of locations of their choosing within the area surrounding the picturesque town of Blowing Rock. This includes incredible vistas, landscapes, gardens, landmarks, architecture, and street scenes. We encourage artists to paint at our patrons’ locations. A map of suggested locations is provided two weeks prior to the festival.
We also encourage you to take a look at our list of sponsor businesses, they have demonstrated a willingness to support the arts and might make good subjects for work more likely to sell. Well known landmarks are also popular with buyers.
Last years' sold pieces included everything from street scenes, to local landmarks, florals, to scenic Parkway vistas and lake landscapes.
Details
Registration is limited to the first 120 artists. This will likely sell out, so please do not delay registering.
Registered artists check-in at BRAHM the afternoon of Tuesday, August 16, 2022 between 3:00 and 5:00 pm (or if needed, between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm Wednesday, or Thursday) to have their canvas or paper stamped prior to beginning work to be eligible for entry in the Saturday show and sale.
Paintings must be two-dimensional medium including oils, acrylics, watercolor, gouache, ink, mixed media, and pastels.
All paintings must be done “en plein air” outside, in natural lighting during the time frame of the event.
Artists may stamp an unlimited number of canvases but will submit only up to two pieces for the Wet Paint Show and Sale and awards.
Canvases must be free of images prior to stamping, though a solid base coat of paint is allowed.
All work is to be wired for hanging and framed with an open back to facilitate viewing of the festival stamp on the back. No exceptions will be accepted. No unframed gallery wraps.
All work must be turned in with paperwork by 5:00 pm Friday, August 19, 2022.
30% commission on all artwork sold during the Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival will be retained by BRAHM, with all event sales handled by BRAHM.
All proceeds from the registration and art sale will go towards fulfilling the mission of BRAHM in the community.
Payment to artists for awards and work sold will be mailed within 30 days after the event ends.
Any "off the easel" sales during the event agree to make a donation to BRAHM comparable to the event commission.
Any unsold art may be collected by the artist at the conclusion of the day. However, we strongly encourage artists to leave work in the sale through September. Many additional sales occur during this month. BRAHM is not responsible for return shipping.
Schedule*
Tuesday, August 16th
Artist check-in from 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Paint until dusk
Wednesday, August 17th - Friday, August 19th
Artists continue painting until art drop off Friday.
Friday, August 19th
2:00 - 5:00 pm: Art Drop off. (Artists may drop off work anytime before the deadline of 5:00 pm. Please complete paperwork in advance. All work must be framed and wired.)
Saturday, August 20th, 2022
10:00 am: Ticketed Patron Preview and Judging
11:00 am - 5:00 pm: Public Wet Paint Show
5:00 - 6:00 pm: Artists collect any unsold paintings if they do not wish to participate in the extended sale. Sold artwork claimed by purchasers with receipt.
*Schedule subject to change
Registration
The 2022 Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival has reached capacity for artists! All artists should have registered online in advance of the event. Your festival name badge entitles you to free admission to local attractions during the festival for the purpose of painting on site.
$60/65 early bird registration- through February 1, 2022
$70/75 regular registration- February 2 – August 10, 2022
Blowing Rock Plein Air Competition
All submitted art to the Wet Paint Art Show & Sale (see information below) will be entered into a plein air painting competition.
Judging Panel: Judging will be performed by a panel selected by BRAHM.
Awards Ceremony: BRAHM will announce the awards at 11:00 pm Saturday during the public exhibition and art sale.
Awards include: cash and in-kind sponsor donations of artist materials. The 2021 Festival included $3,500 in cash prizes.
2020 Blowing Rock Plein Air Wet Paint Show Judging
2020 Blowing Rock Plein Air Wet Paint Sale
Special Thanks to Our 2022 Plein Air Festival Sponsors
Interested in becoming a Plein Air sponsor? Email Jennifer Garonzik: Jennifer@BlowingRockMuseum.org
Patti Turner, Managing Broker, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty
Lodging
Numerous lodging options are available to meet a variety of tastes and budgets. We recommend making arrangements early, as demand is especially high this sesason.
Visit BlowingRock.com for lodging information.
You may also visit at ExploreBoone.com, ExploreCaldwell.com, and HighCountryHost.com