OFFER SUPPORT

Harford County's premier Plein Air Festival is comprised of a juried competition and a community-based quick draw competition, which annually draw professional artists from across the U.S. to capture the county's charms.  The Festival's unique format allows painters to work at their own pace from July 1 to September 14, competing for thousands of dollars in cash prizes and sales commissions. 

PUBLIC SCHEDULE
May 15 - Deadline to apply for one of the 30 juried artist positions.
June 1 - Invitations sent to juried artists.
July 1 - Artists begin painting.
July 10 - Blog of "works-in-progress" begins HERE.
August 1 - Community artists and students can register to paint in the Quick Draw Competition.
September 12 - 9am-noon Harford Plein Air @Ladew Gardens Paint-Out in Monkton.
September 14 - 6:30pm Harford Plein Air @Havre de Grace Nocturne Paint-Out.
September 15 - 6:30-9pm - ​Arts Across Harford Kick-Off Reception at the Harford Plein Air Gallery Opening & Awards Ceremony, Bel Air Armory.
September 16 - 8:30-noon - Watch juried and community artists paint in downtown Bel Air. 
                        9am-4pm - Free Harford Plein Air Exhibition & Sales Gallery, Bel Air Armory.
September 17 - 10am-4pm - Free Harford Plein Air Exhibition & Sales Gallery, Bel Air Armory, in conjunction with the Bel Air Festival for the Arts.  Music by the Deer Creek Youth Choir.
September 20 - October 29 - Free Exhibition & Sale of select Festival paintings at the Armory Marketplace, Suite 103, behind the Bel Air Armory. Hours:  Wed., Thurs., Sun. from noon-4pm/Fri. & Sat. 10am-6pm
October 6 - Gala Reception from 5-7pm in conjunction with Bel Air's First Fridays
​October 15 - Open House from 1-4pm
Festival paintings will be available for viewing and purchase online until November 20, HERE.

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To showcase the county's vibrant arts scene, the Maryland Center for the Arts is a proud supporter of Arts Across Harford:  16 Days of Celebrating the Arts, September 15-30, with Visit Harford, the Harford County Cultural Arts Board, the Bel Air Arts & Entertainment District, the Harmer's Town Art Center, and the Havre de Grace Arts Collective.  Many other county arts organizations, will present exhibitions, performances, and creative opportunities for artists of all ages and genres.   

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Click on "Visit Harford"
to see more events:

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Scenes from the 2022 Harford Plein Air Festival.