Quick draw means that the paintings are completed during a timed period; in this case, the artists have just two hours to start and finish their paintings.  Judging by a professional artist, awards, and sales follow.  The Harford Plein Air Painting Festival's Quick Draw Competition is intended for artists in three categories, beginner to advanced:  juried artists in this year's main plein air festival; adult community artists 18 and up; and youth under age 18.​

QUICK DRAW COMPETITION SCHEDULE:                          
Sun., Aug. 1:  Registration opens for the Quick Draw Competition.
Sat., Sept. 18: Check-in at the Havre de Grace Opera House, 121 N. Union Ave., Havre de Grace, MD  21028.
                         
                         YOUTH ARTISTS - Ages under 18.  Registration is free online, in advance. 
                          Please bring your own paints, brushes, canvas, and easels.
                          8 am - Check-in for youth artists.
                          8:30-10:30 - Painting period for youth artists.
                          11 - 11:30 am - Judging and awards announcement for youth artists.

                          COMMUNITY ARTISTS - Ages 18 and over.  Registration is $15 online, in advance.
                          Please bring your own paints, brushes, canvas, and easel.
                           8:30 am - Check-in for community artists.
                           9 - 11 am - Painting period for community artists.
                           11:30 - noon - Judging
                           noon - 12:30 - Awards announcements
                           12:30 - 1 pm - Sales of Quick Draw paintings.
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Register 17 & under

Register ages 18 & up

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Be a Sponsor!  Join these generous organizations in supporting the Harford Plein Air Festival.  Click the button below to find out how to become a sponsor. 

Sponsor Plein Air

Sponsorship Information

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This program is sponsored in part by grants from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Harford County Cultural Arts Board with funds from Maryland State Arts Council, and the Harford County Office of Community and Economic Development.   Special thanks to Plein Air Magazine and Fine Art Connoisseur as the Premier Media Sponsors! ​Don't miss the limited exhibition at The Liriodendron Mansion in Bel Air.

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2020 Quick Draw Competition winners by category.  Hover cursor over painting to read caption: