Click below to find out how you can support the artists.

Support Art

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 12, 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 Harford Plein Air @Ladew Gardens in Monkton & demonstration by Award Juror John Hulsey.
September 13 - 6:30-9pm - ​Arts Across Harford Kick-Off Reception at the Harford Plein Air Gallery                                                             Opening & Awards Ceremony, Bel Air Armory.
September 14 - 8:30-noon - Watch juried and community artists paint in downtown Bel Air. 
                        9am-3pm - Free Harford Plein Air Exhibition & Sales Gallery, Bel Air Armory.
September 15 - 10am-3pm - Free Harford Plein Air Exhibition & Sales Gallery, Bel Air Armory, in                                          conjunction with the Bel Air Festival for the Arts.
                         11am-2pm - Young Artists' Day - painting activities and a Quick Draw competition for                                   young artists ages 13-17.
September 16 - October 31 - Festival paintings will be available for viewing & purchase online until October 31.

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Attention Community Artists 18 and over:

Unavailable for the main Festival? 
​Enter the Quick Draw Competition.
​Click here for details.

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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 13-30, 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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