The City of Suffolk, Virginia is gearing up for the fourth annual Suffolk Plein Air Festival, September 10-14, 2024. Plein Air Artists from the around the country and internationally are applying to participate. Visit ONLINE JURIED SHOW or our 2024 APPLICATIONwebpage for additional information. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2024.
We are excited to announce our 2024 acclaimed judge is Gavin Glakas. Juried Plein Air Artists will enjoy capturing the beauty of Suffolk Virginia’s waterways, landscapes, and cityscapes, compete for prizes, and sell their artwork. Seeing our city through the eyes and talents of others is a highlight of this week-long outdoor painting event. CASH AWARDS will be given for the Best In Show, $3,000, 2nd Place, $1,000, along with 3rd Place, $500. Additionally, there are monetary awards given for Best: Historic, Waterfront, Farmland, Rural, & Cityscape paintings.
On Friday, September 13th from 6:00 - 9:30 PM, artists and patrons will gather at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts for the much-anticipated 'Wet Paint Sale & Soiree'. Attendees will have the chance to meet the artists, view their new artwork and purchase an incredibly special piece of Suffolk themed artwork to adorn their home or business. 'Wet Paint Sale & Soiree' tickets go on sale July 1, 2024 and include scrumptious food, an open bar, and live music. At the request of patrons, the event offers various VIP Level Sponsorships that include 'Wet Paint Sale & Soiree' tickets with art credits towards purchases during the reception.
On Saturday, September 14th from 12- 2 PM, in conjunction with Suffolk's annual ‘Taste of Suffolk’ Downtown Street Festival, Youth, ages 10-17, and Adults of ALL abilities are invited to paint outside, ‘en plein air’, during the “PAINT the TASTE” event. This is a chance for novice to experienced painters to try their hand at plein air painting. The QuickDraw format is extremely exciting ~ the goal is to quickly produce an original piece of artwork in only 120 minutes! Prizes will be awarded, and “PAINT the TASTE” Artists are encouraged to sell their Suffolk Plein Air artwork to the interested crowds during the 'Taste of Suffolk'. “PAINT the TASTE” Registration is $10. Participants need to bring their own painting materials.
The success of Suffolk Plein Air Festival is a tribute to the vision and collaboration of the Suffolk community. So many wonderful people have opened their homes to host some of our out-of-town artists for the week. Others have offered their properties as locations for the artists to paint. Generous business and patron sponsors stepped up to ensure the Arts are accessible for all, bringing together artists of all skill levels and ages – younger and older – providing rich experiences for the community at large.
For more information about the Suffolk Plein Air Festival 2024 Application, Sponsorship, Events, or Volunteering, please contact Festival Coordinators Sandy Waters and Sandy Hart at: suffolkpleinair@gmail.com.