Plein Air Coming May 2025



CHECK OUT THE NEW NINE-DAY FORMAT





Join us for our annual Gregory J. Nowak Memorial Plein Air Paint Out beginning May 9. Participants may draw or paint using any physical medium (digital entries are not eligible yet). Set up anywhere in Whitemarsh or the Borough of Conshohocken and show us your creative interpretation of a place where you find inspiration.


En plein air: A French expression meaning in the open air, referring to painting outdoors with the subject in full view.



Memorial Sponsor: The Nowak Family





We are extremely grateful to the Nowak Family for their continuing sponsorship of the Whitemarsh Art Center 12th annual Gregory J. Nowak Memorial Plein Air Competition. This gift is made courtesy of Denise Maggetti Nowak & Family.





GUEST JUROR | TBD


DETAILS: Our annual Gregory J. Nowak Memorial Plein Air Competition will begin on Friday, May 9 and conclude on Saturday May 17. Artists will get their canvases registered beginning May 9.


ARTIST CHECK-IN: Friday, May 9th 8am – noon. Visit us at Whitemarsh Art Center, 100 Cedar Grove Road, Conshohocken, PA 19428 Canvases will be stamped at check-in. Stamping is also available through May 15.


ARTIST RECEPTION: Saturday, May 10, 12:30 – 2pm at Cedar Grove Park. The reception is open to registered artists and their guests. Light refreshments will be served.


ARTIST SUBMISSIONS: Friday, May 16th 8am – noon at the Whitemarsh Art Center. Please be prompt.


ADDITIONAL ARTIST CHALLENGES:


BRUSH RUSH: Friday, May 16 Noon – 3pm

Registered artists will check in at the Art Center where the designated painting location will be revealed.

• Canvases must be stamped for the Brush Rush to be included in the event.

•. Maximum dimension 14x18” - no framing permitted.


The public is welcome to view artists as they paint on site.

Completed Artwork must be submitted at the Art Center by 3pm on Friday, May 16 to be included in the judging.

Participating artists will vote for one painting that is not their own at that time, and a winner will be announced.


QUICK DRAW: Saturday, May 17, 9am – noon.

Registered artists will check in with the Event Coordinator at the Whitemarsh Art Center.

•. Live Models, props and the scenery of Cedar Grove park will be on display for subject matter.

Everyone is welcome to view the artists as they paint and participate in judging at noon. This event will be judged with a peoples choice vote.


PRIZES:

•. TOP PRIZE: Best in Show $500
• PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS: $300/first; $200/second; $100/third & $50/honorable mention

• AMATEUR ARTISTS: $300/first; $200/second; $100/third & $50/honorable mention

•. SPEED CHALLENGES: $50/ea for Brush Rush and Quick Draw


ENTRY FEE: $50







Addition Entry Guidelines


Each painting in the competition is eligible for one award. Artists will register as a professional or amateur painter when signing up for the competition.


Professionals: defined as an artist who:


  1. Has sold artwork consistently (e.g., through galleries, commissions, or direct sales).
  2. Has participated in juried exhibitions, gallery shows, or major plein air events.
  3. May be a member of professional art organizations (e.g., Oil Painters of America, Plein Air Painters groups).
  4. May teach or work in the art field professionally


Amateurs: defined as an artist who:

  1. Paints primarily as a hobby rather than as a main source of income.
  2. Has limited or no sales history.
  3. May have participated in local art shows or community exhibits but not major juried exhibitions.
  4. Is still developing their artistic skills and exploring plein air painting as a practice.

Self-Selection with Verification: Artists can choose their category when registering, but the event organizers may review applications to ensure fairness. For example, if someone enters as an amateur but has an extensive exhibition and sales history, they may be asked to compete in the professional category.


Submission Requirements

  1. Artist must paint on location from direct observation of life; no use of photographic references.
  2. Artist may paint anywhere within Whitemarsh Township/Conshohocken.
  3. Artist must be a minimum of 16 years old.
  4. Only flat, two-dimensional artwork will be accepted for the show. The maximum dimension of each painting, including frame, may not exceed 900 square inches, with a maximum width not to exceed 36 inches.
  5. Artwork must be started and finished between May 9 – 16.
  6. Blank canvases must be date stamped at Artist Check-in. The date stamp must be visible on the back of each painting submitted for the show.
  7. Each artist may enter a maximum of three (3) paintings into the competition.
  8. Artist are encouraged to provide his/her biography with their registration or Artist Check-In. Each artist is encouraged to provide business cards or a url for distribution to event patrons.






Thank you to all our sponsors



Corporate Sponsorship

Become a Sponsor


Benefactors

The Staib–Kaufman Family, In Memory of Mildred Oakford Staib




If you're interested in sponsoring, please fill out one of the attached forms:

Corporate Sponsor | Individual/Family Sponsor


Whitemarsh Art Center | 100 Cedar Grove Rd | Conshohocken, PA 19428
| (610)825-0917 |
office@whitemarsharts.org

© 2024, All rights reserved. Whitemarsh Art Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization • United Way Donor Choice #45933


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