More than 25 regional artists to participate in Sussex County’s only plein air painting competition –

Laurel, DE: Laurel, Delaware will be host to the 2nd Annual Paint Laurel Plein Air on Saturday, May 20, 2023 in conjunction with a One Laurel, One Day community  celebration. En plein air, a French phrase meaning “in open air,” describes the process  of painting a landscape outdoors. Plein air painting can be traced back to Impressionist  artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Pissaro – painting outdoors and capturing fleeting  moments of light, color, atmosphere, and the mood of a scene, rather than detailed  representations. Artists working in oil, acrylic, pastel or watercolor will be setting up their easels in Laurel’s parks, along its streets and throughout the beautiful surrounding  farms and natural areas to capture the essence of a spring day in western Sussex  County. A number of award-winning landscape artists from throughout the region have  registered to participate.

This fun, informal painting event in the morning will be followed by an opportunity for  artists, collectors and other visitors to view and purchase the finished pieces during a  public art walk and “wet paint sale” starting at 11:30 a.m. in Janosik Park. However, if  weather is inclement, artists who still decide to paint will be exhibiting their work in the Mary Wootten Carpenter Community Room at the Laurel Public Library. Last year, more  than $3,000 in framed artwork was sold. There is no entrance fee for collectors and  other patrons who wish to visit the event.

Tammy Kearney, an artist and one of the founding members of Nanticoke River Arts  Council’s Gallery 107 in Seaford, DE, is excited by the opportunity to again participate in  Paint Laurel. Kearney said, “Having an event like Paint Laurel demonstrates the  growing interest in fine art in western Sussex County. We have a very talented community of artists who truly do some exceptional work. I thought the first-ever Paint  Laurel was well-organized and a terrific success and I can’t wait to find my scene to  paint on May 20!”

Paint Laurel Plein Air features a total of $1,500 in artist awards representing five distinct  categories. Judging is done by a select group of community stakeholders who have a  special relationship with each respective award:

1. One Laurel Award ($400 for the painting that best portrays Laurel’s community  pride/spirit)

2. Grand Old Laurel Award ($400 for the painting that best depicts Laurel’s rich  history and tradition)

3. Great Things Come Naturally Award ($400 for the painting that best features  Laurel’s nature-based assets)

4. Artist’s Choice Award ($150)

5. People’s Choice Award ($150)

One unique dynamic of Paint Laurel that is not typical of most plein air events is the  involvement of local students. Dana Paternoster, an art teacher in the Laurel School  District, not only paints in the event, but she also coordinates participation of those  students. According to Paternoster, “Last year, I believe we had just over 10 high school aged artists exhibit their artwork right alongside the established adult artists. For  most of the students, this was their first experience painting “en plein air.” While it can  be very challenging, they all loved this opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and  they produced some really solid artwork. I know a number of students who painted last  year that are eager to join the fun again on May 20th!”

Laurel’s annual WaterColors community painting celebration will be held simultaneously  on May 20th in Janosik Park. This unique event offers an opportunity for art-lovers of all  ages to pick up a brush to help paint one of Laurel’s iconic watermelon harvest buses.  To date, ten buses have been painted under the artistic talents and guidance of local  artist John Donato.

Paint Laurel Plein Air is co-organized and funded in part by the University of Delaware’s  Sustainable Communities Initiative in collaboration with the Laurel Redevelopment  Corporation.

Artists wishing to participate in Paint Laurel have until May 13th to register online.  Information about Paint Laurel Plein Air, an artist prospectus and an EventBrite  registration link for artists can be accessed at www.reimaginelaurel.net/ # # #