2024 Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival

Oct 5

Written By BRAHM

2023 Best in Show: *Grand Manor* by Katie Dobson Cundiff, oil

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 20th, to Saturday, August 24th, 2024. The festival aims 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 24th. 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. In 2023, BRAHM sold 128 of the 166 pieces submitted for the Wet Paint Sale.

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 2024. For sponsorship information, contact Jennifer@BlowingRockMuseum.org. You can download sponsorship package and pricing information by clicking HERE.

Visit BlowingRock.com for lodging information. This is a busy tourism season, so book lodging early.

For more information, read the Artist Prospectus.

Artist Prospectus

Registration has filled! Please sign up for the waitlist here

Schedule*

Tuesday, August 20th

Artist check-in from 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Artist/sponsor mixer 5:00-6:30 pm

Wednesday, August 21st - Friday, August 23rd

Late check-in on Wednesday 11:00-5:00 pm
Artists continue painting until Friday afternoon

Friday, August 23rd

2:00 - 5:00 pm: Art Drop off. Please frame all art, install hanging wire, and complete paperwork in advance of drop-off to expedite the drop-off process.

Saturday, August 24th

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

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.

$70 for BRAHM members early bird registration- through February 1, 2024 ($80 for non members)
$80 for BRAHM Members regular registration- February 2 – August 1, 2024 ($90 for non members)
Cancelation policy: an 80% refund will be issued if artists cancel before July 1, 2024

- 2023 Wet Paint Sale Submissions -

donna biggee gold hour at raven rock oil.png

donna biggee early morning on main oil.png

diane d nelson six pence glow oil on gessoboard.png

Denis Byrd Morning Clouds Lifting Oil on linen.png

Denise D NElson Peaceful stream open acrylic.png

denis byrd building storm oil on linen.png

Deborah Sams Raven rocks oil on panel.png

Deborah Sams Price Park Stream Oil on Canvas 11x14.png

Deborah C Sherood I'll Wait Here Oil.png

debanjana bhattacharjee hydrangea orchard.png

David Nelson Collins sunset at moses cone pasture open acrylic.png

debandjana bhattacharjee sky is the limit oil.png

david nelson collins sunrise at moses cone overlook open acrylic.png

Coleen Hester Rich Mountain Pasture oil.png

Cindy Quales Secluded Brook at Bass Pond acrylic on canvas 8x10.png

Cindy Quales Reflection at the edge of the pond oil on canvas 10x20.png

Chris Bloom A River Runs Through It Oil.png

chris bloom a piece of heaven in blowing rock oil.png

Celia Jarrett Cone Carriage House oil.png

carlette beam peters taylor cow barn on clarks creek circa 1936 acrylic on board 12x12.png

cara hayes early morning at bass lake watercolor.png

cara hayes impression of cone manor watercolor.png

brooke newhart gateway to the wildflowers guoache.png

Brenda Bundrant Twilight on the Blue Ridge Oil.png

beth barger on the right side of the tracks oil.png

beth barger horse and carriagehouse oil.png

Arlene Daniel Waters Edge Bass lake oil.png

Arlene Daniel Its a waterfall life oil.png

annetta todd view from bass lake trail watercolor.png

annetta todd a trail beckons watercolor.png

anne darrah solace oil on linen panel.png

anne marie brown morning at cone manor 11x14 oil.png

anne darrah burl lives here oil on board.png

Abie Harris Bighouse East Green charcoal and acrylic.png

Abie Harris Bighouse East Orange acrylic.png

Donna O'Hara sunshine sunrise pastel.png

Eileen Hendren A Great Day To Be Alive Oil on Panel.png

eileen hendren daydreams oil on panel.png

Fen Rasco Raised in a Barn Oil on Gesso Board.png

Fen Rascoe All You Can Eat oil on linen panel.png

gina marrale gardeners delight watercolor with gouache.png

Ginny Wagner Blue Ridge Beauty watercolor.png

ginny wagner mountain glow watercolor.png

h marie easley another beautiful day oil.png

Hayley Thorp Bass Lake in August oil on linen.png

Jan Yearwood Bass Lake in August oil.png

jean cauthen the last straw oil on board.png

Jean Cauthen The Ragged Garden oil on board.png

Jennifer Mills Grabosky the smallest of seeds oil.png

Jill McGannon Blue Ridge State of Mind oil on canvas panel 16x20.png

jill mcGannon near raven rock 16x20 oil on canvas panel.png

joan dreicer late afternoon at bass lake.png

Joan Dreicer view from blue ridge parkway pastel.png

JoAnn Bratton Happy Cow Farm Oil 11x14.png

JoAnn Bratton Just Chillin at Hellbender oil.png

John Youssi Back Bay at Bass Lake Oil on Canvas.png

john youssi back road farm oil on canvas.png

Karen Keil Brown The Pasture by Cone Manor oil 12x10.png

karen keil brown thunder hill sunset oil 10x14.png

Karin Neuvirth Bass lake acrylic on board.png

karin neuvirth flowers by the library.png

kathleen graham shulls mill vista pastel 9x12.png

Kathy Sabbath Oravecz north carolina blues watercolor.png

katie dobs0n-cundiff watauga river rocks 14x18.png

Katie Dobson-Cundiff Grand Manor Oil 14x14.png

Katie Hallahan Summer at Moses Cone Manor soft pastel on clayboard.png

katie hallahan under the parkway cone memorial park soft pastel on clayboard.png

kerry strathman blue ridge summer oil on linen panel.png

Kerry Strathman Holder's Thunder Hill View oil on linen panel.png

kim abernathy higher ground oil on canvas.png

kim abernathy riverview oil on panel.png

Laure Oleniacz View of GrabndfathER MOUNTAIN acrylic.png

lauren waterworth main and laurel park oil on canvas.png

lauren waterworth rhododendron tunnel on rough ridge oil on canvas.png

linda hauser a visit to grandfather oil on belgian linen panel.png

Linda Hauser Reflecting Oil on Belgian Linen Panel.png

linda powell walking along the watauga oil.png

Lori Cusick A Gardener's Gift oil on linen canvas.png

lori cusick on the way to trout lake oil on linen.png

marie darmanian price lake breeze oil.png

marty barrick ridge upon ridge thunder hill overlook oil.png

mary hirvela afternoon at moses cone oil on linen panel.png

mary hirvela morning at julien price park oil on linen panel.png

mary negron stile at thunder hill overlook oil.png

michael l zanin carriage house sentinel oil on linen panel.png

nicholas thorp falls on tanawha trail oil on acm panel.png

nicholas thorp sentinel of Old Turnpike Rd oil on acm panel.png

Olivia Perrault Boulder Field Overlook acrylic.png

olivia perreault stack rock overlook.png

pamela zanin euphoria! oil on linen panel.png

pamela zanin flower power oil on linen panel.png

pat collins i told you we should have brought our fishing gear price lake watercolor.png

Pat Collins Mountain Garden Watercolor.png

patricia sweet fields of cone manor oil.png

Patricia Sweet Path to the Manor oil.png

phyllis steimel horsin around at tweetsie oil.png

Renee Pitts Black Eyed Susans are blooming watercolor.png

Sarah White-Harvey Bass Lake Afternoon oil.png

sarah white-harvey moses cone morning oil.png

scott ballard boone fork cascade oil.png

Shannon Rainey Heading Home oil on canvas.png

sharon forthofer bolic bee boxes oil.png

sharon forthofer on the edge - basslake oil.png

sheila brook a road runs through it grandfather at beacon heights oil on panel.png

sheila brooks watch tower over bass lake moses cone manor oil on panel.png

sherron fergason swans of chetola oil.png

Sherron Fergason Wading at Price Lake Oil.png

sherry Mason mountains in the mist oil.png

sherry mason where are the roses momma oil on belgian linen.png

Sheryl T Daniels Stream at Price Park pastel.png

tim white lindsays creek pastel on sanded paper.png

Tim White The last One Pastel on sanded paper.png

waitsel smith glen burney trail 4 oil.png

yvonne park st mary of the hills oil.png

zan thompson summer day on main street watercolor.png

Zan Thompson Wonders Behind the Gate watercolor.png

Information for Buyers

The festival will conclude on August 24th from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 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 make free reservations to view the Wet Paint Show & Sale on Saturday, August 24th between 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Timed entry tickets will be made available in Spring 2024.

All previously unsold artwork will be available for purchase at that time.
All pieces must remain on display until 5:00 p.m.
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 a.m. on August 24th for festival sponsors above the $500 level and BRAHM Daingerfield Society Members.

Special thanks for our 2024 Plein Air Sponsors

Sue Glenn of Blowing Rock Properties | The Blowing Rock Attraction |
Guerilla Painter | Blick Art Supplies | Hemlock Inn/Bryan & Donna Summers

Blowing Rock Plein Air Competition

All submitted art to the Wet Paint Art Show & Sale will be entered into a plein air painting competition.

Judging Panel: Judging will be performed by a panel selected by BRAHM.
Awards: BRAHM will announce the awards at 10:00 a.m. Saturday.
Awards include cash and in-kind sponsor donations of artist materials. The 2022 Festival included $3,500 in cash prizes.

2023 4th place *Morning Clouds Lifting* by Denis Byrd, Oil on linen

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

View 2022 Plein Air Festival

Back to All Programs

BRAHM https://blowingrockmuseum.org