Thurmont hosts new art event

(8/22) The Thurmont community and surrounding areas have a fun, new event to look forward to this fall as Thurmont will be holding its first annual Plein Air entitled Main Street Easels Plein Air on October 21. Main Street Easels – Plein Air is open to any artist for a small $20 fee and who loves painting outdoors rain or shine!

For those who may not be familiar with the term "plein air" it can be described simply as painting outdoors. Plein air, or "open air" painting is for those who love to be outdoors in nature, and people who love to paint landscapes as well as other outdoor subjects like buildings, old barns, farm equipment, flowers, gardens, and animals. The plein air style of painting has been taking off across the country, and even locally, as the Eastern Shore, Frederick and Cumberland, have been very successful with these events. Some may be familiar with "Easels in Frederick" which has been going strong for the past six years.

Main Street Easels Plein Air will kick off at 10:30 a.m., with the Main Street Center doors opening at 9:30 a.m. All artists involved must meet back at the Main Street Center by 2 p.m. Artists may paint any building(s) or scene in the Main Street Designated Area. Artists will bring their easel and preferred artistic medium of choice, whether it is oils, acrylics, watercolors or whatever is desired and at the start of the event will select a building to paint.

After all participants are back at the Main Street Center, judging will commence at 2:30 p.m. During the judging period, artists may not be near the judging area. Food and beverages will be provided to the artists during this time. Judging will be performed by Frederick Artist Bill Watson. Bill is curator at the ArtistAngle Gallery in Frederick

This is an adult and kid-friendly event. For those who are interested in participating in this event, registration deadline and payment is due by October 10, so there is plenty of time to sign up! Any children under the age of sixteen are asked to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information contact Thurmont Economic Development Manager Vickie Grinder at vgrinder@thurmontstaff.com or 240-626-9980.