Plein Air Easton Competition and Arts Festival

06/19/2026

One of Plein Air Easton’s most meaningful exhibitions is getting a new home this year!
Forever the Forest is moving to the Tidewater Inn, bringing this inspiring collaboration with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy right into the heart of downtown Easton. Featuring paintings by invited Plein Air Easton alumni, the exhibition showcases permanently protected forests, wildlife habitats, and conservation lands from across Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Join us for the Opening Reception on Thursday, July 9 from 5–7 PM, with awards, remarks, and a screening of ESLC’s new mini-documentary beginning at 6 PM. Throughout the week, enjoy artist demonstrations with Anna Madachik, photography talks, and Peaceful Pours—a daily wellness hour featuring complimentary tea, mindfulness activities, and a quiet space to reflect.

Whether you're an art lover, conservation advocate, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat during the festival, Forever the Forest offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and importance of protected Eastern Shore landscapes.

Opening Reception: July 9, 5–7 PM
Tidewater Inn
Register: www.eslc.org/events

06/18/2026

Plein Air Easton begins with a one-of-a-kind exploration of some of Talbot County’s small towns. Time spent at these events offer authentic glimpses into each community’s distinct charm. See below for the unique events being held in each town.

📍Easton:
💙 July 10th - Kick Off Party, Harrison Street outside Tidewater Inn & Avalon Theatre
🖌️ Community Paint (5-7pm) Anyone and everyone picks up a paint brush to work together on the largest “paint by numbers” you have ever seen!
🎶 Live Music (5-7pm) with Danah Denice.
🛍️ Shop to Win Raffle (Raffle 7pm) Support downtown all day - purchases result in raffle tickets that can be submitted for more than 20 prizes.
🐇 Picasso at Lapin Agile (8pm) Presented by Groove/Factory, this play by Steve Martin (yes, that Steve Martin) is sure to put a smile on your face.
🌙 Nocturne Paint Out (5-10pm).

📍Oxford:
💙July 12th - Paint Oxford, downtown Oxford, Sandaway Suites & Beach, Oxford Community Center
🖌️ Competition Artists Paint Out (Oxford, Sunrise-4pm)
⛵ Paint Oxford Information Center (Sandaway, 7am-3pm) Want to find out where artists might be or ask questions? Stop by Sandaway and say hello!
🩵 Waterfront Painting Demo with PBS personality, Eric Santoli (Sandaway, 10am-12pm)
🥓 Firehouse Breakfast (Oxford Firehall, 8-11am)
🎶 Concert - Sounds of Americana (St. Paul’s Church, 2:30pm)
🖼️ Exhibition & Sale (Oxford Community Center, 5-6:30pm)

📍Tilghman:
💙 July 13th - Paint Tilghman - Tilghman Island Fire Hall
🖌️ Competition Artists Paint Out (Tilghman Island, Sunrise-4pm)
🖼️ Exhibition & Sale (Tilghman Firehall 5-7pm) The firehall will be transformed into a beautiful gallery of fresh paint and beautiful fine art. Be the first to see the paintings created on Tilghman Island that day and make sure you stick around for the awards!
🍸 Signature Cocktails (Tilghman Firehall 5-7pm) - The exhibition and sale will also feature two signature cocktails- one featuring Tilghman Island Country Store bourbon and one featuring Tilghman Island Country Store tequila! Come for the art, stay for the cocktails?

06/17/2026

The most anticipated night of Plein Air Easton is almost here!

The Collectors' Preview Party is your first opportunity to view and purchase this year's incredible competition paintings before they are released to the public. Plus, every ticket includes a $250 art voucher that can be applied toward the purchase of any Plein Air Easton painting through July 19.
Explore the stunning wet paint exhibition at the Academy Art Museum, discover additional works at PAE Headquarters, and celebrate alongside artists, collectors, and art lovers as judge Mary Morton announces this year's award winners.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of art—and maybe take home a masterpiece of your own.

Tickets are limited (link in bio). Secure yours today!

06/16/2026

Just one month to go! We can't wait to welcome Plein Air Easton's invited artists as they arrive for ten days filled with painting, competition, and creativity throughout Talbot County. As we count down to the festival, we'll be sharing more updates with you—starting with a special podcast featuring our 2026 judge, Dr. Mary Morton, Curator and Head of French Painting at the National Gallery of Art. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Morton shares what she looks for in award-winning plein air paintings, offering valuable insights for artists, collectors, and anyone excited to experience this year's competition through an expert's eyes.

05/13/2026

What are you doing this weekend? We're going to Oxford!

The 42nd Oxford Fine Arts Fair returns May 15–17, 2026, at the Oxford Community Center in Oxford, MD, celebrating three days of art, culture, and community while supporting year-round programming at the Center. This year’s event is chaired by Erika Long and juried by acclaimed artist Gavin Glakas, bringing a dynamic and highly regarded selection of regional and local artists to the exhibition.

Festivities begin with an elegant Preview Party Gala on Friday, May 15 (6–8 PM) featuring live music by Julie Parson’s Band, hors d’oeuvres, and wine, followed by a full weekend of art, demonstrations, live music, raffles, and local food—including the Center’s signature strawberry shortcake—on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5 at the door for the weekend, and a portion of all sales supports the Oxford Community Center’s cultural and educational programs.

05/07/2026

05/04/2026

A few spots remain for our kids camps! Grab them quick!

04/28/2026

Join us this summer at the Avalon as we celebrate America’s birthday with a creative cross-country adventure! Campers will “road trip” through the USA using literature and art, bringing their discoveries to life on stage.

This introductory arts camp is designed to nurture creativity and build confidence through engaging activities in visual art, acting, singing, storytelling, and movement—all while having plenty of fun! Give your child a summer full of creativity, confidence, and unforgettable memories!

ROADTRiPPiNG THROUGH THE USA:
EARLY CHILDHOOD ARTS EXPLORATION
SESSION 1: JUNE 22-26
SESSION 2: JULY 6-10
SESSION 4: JULY 20-24
SESSION 5: JULY 27-31
SESSION 6 AUGUST 3-7

Message the Avalon for more details to register!
(410) 822-0345
Box Office Phone: (410) 822-7299
General Email: [email protected]

04/24/2026

Marie & Jess D made a special trip to New Jersey to pick up an incredibly generous donation from BLICK Art Materials for Plein Air Easton and our summer camps!

Huge thanks to PAE artist and former Grand Prize winner Joe Gyurcsak for hosting us and helping coordinate this amazing gift of premier art supplies—our artists (and future artists!) are so grateful.

02/06/2026

The Wait is Over! Announcing the 2026 Plein Air Easton Competition Artists

Preparations for the 22nd Annual Plein Air Easton Competition & Arts Festival officially launch today! Acclaimed artist, Mark Boedges, has selected the final roster of talent for this summer’s event. After he completed his selections, Mark shared, "It was a great honor to select the participating artists, and a great deal of work as well, considering the extraordinary level of talent among the entrants. I strived to select a group of artists with strong and unique visions, and thus to create an event with broad appeal to collectors and art lovers alike."

Check out the graphic below to see if your favorite artist made the list! 👇

Visit www.pleinaireaston.com for the full schedule