9th Annual Paint it Orange Plein Air Paint-out & Wet Paint Sale

Brian Keubler is the Decorative Arts, Sculpture, and Ceramics Director, Leland Little Auctions

Brian Kuebler has been involved in the arts his entire creative, academic and professional careers. He completed a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a minor in Art History from the College of Charleston, and an MFA in Painting from The New York Academy of Art. Before joining Leland Little he worked in art galleries in New York and was a fine art and art history instructor for undergraduate and continuing education students. Kuebler has completed murals and decorative artworks in New York and internationally and has exhibited his work in New York and North Carolina.

1st Place: $750.00
2nd Place: $500.00
3rd Place: $250.00
People’s Choice: $100.00 People’s Choice voting will be open throughout the exhibit through November 8th.

• The first 70 artists to register will receive a complimentary artist goodie bag
• Painting Period: October 1-3, 2025 Registration is required. REGISTER HERE
• Painting Area: Artists may paint any subject or scene outdoors within Orange County, including the towns of Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. The sites must be accessible to the public and should not impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Artists are expected to maintain complete respect for private venues, and agree to not enter private property without written or verbal permission granted by the property owner. Artists will be required to wear their name tags at all times. Painting(s) must be completed in the outdoor area and not from photographs. A list of recommended painting sites will be provided.
• Check-in: All artists must check in at the Orange County Main Library in Hillsborough. All painting surfaces must be stamped on-site at check-in prior to painting. Each piece must be painted during the event, with nothing pre-painted or pre-drawn. Alternative surfaces such as paper, panel, and recycled materials are permitted and may be toned prior to check-in. Artists may stamp an unlimited number of surfaces, but will submit only one piece for juroring, display, and sale.
• Wet Paint Sale:
  • Only stamped works can be shown or sold.
  • All submitted pieces (only 1 per artist this year) must be labeled with artist’s name, title, and price AND a completed electronic submission form.
  • All work on paper or canvases less than 1″ thick must be framed and properly wired (no saw tooth hangers). Watch a video on how to wire your work here. Gallery-wrapped canvasses thicker than 1″ and alternative sturdy surfaces do not need to be framed, but do need to be properly wired for hanging. The OCAC reserves the right to exclude works not properly prepared for display.
  • The maximum size allowed is 24″ x 24″ including frame.
  • All work must be for sale. OCAC staff or Paint it Orange committee members cannot offer pricing guidance. Refer to this helpful guide for guidance on pricing your work.
  • Artwork will remain on display through Saturday, November 8th.
• Proceeds and Payments: For all work sold, the Orange County Arts Alliance will retain a 40% commission. Artist payments for work sold are handled electronically through Melio (a secure online payments processor for Quickbooks). Artists will receive an emailed Statement of Sales from the Director, followed by an email from Melio asking how they wish to be paid, either through Electronic Funds Transfer to a bank account, or through a mailed check. The OCAA has 30 days from the exhibit closing date to initiate payments.
• Unsold Artwork: Artists will pick up their work Sunday, November 9 between 10am-5pm  and Monday, November 10 2025, between 12pm-5pm-, at the Thomas Stevens Gallery, or have artwork mailed at their own expense.
• Liability. As an exhibitor in the Thomas Stevens Gallery, your artwork is insured by the Thomas Stevens in the event of damage or theft.
• Inclement Weather: The event will take place rain or shine, so please be prepared.
• Use of images: Artists shall retain all rights to reproduction of work. Sale of the material object does not constitute transfer of the Artist’s copyrights; however, artists agree to allow the OCAC use of images produced during the event for promotional purposes.

Click here to view the Google Map for suggested painting sites. A printed map will be available at Artist Check-in. 

• Workshop:  Paint it Orange Plein Air Workshop with artist James Keul Monday September 29 & Tuesday September 30 | 9 AM – 1 PM each day
  • Location: Bluestem Conservation Cemetery (1900 Hurdle Mills Rd – Cedar Grove, NC)
  • About the venue: 87 acres of open space, farm fields, woods, butterflies, a pond, wildlife, big sky, and over three miles of natural pathways and woodland trails open to the public from dawn to dusk
  • Come prepared to work outdoors, challenge your eye, and grow your painting skills in a supportive and inspiring environment
  • For all experience levels and working mediums; individual guidance and group instruction tailored to your needs
• Artist Check-in and Painting Timeline: All artists must check-in to get their surfaces stamped before painting.  The check-in location is the Orange County Main Library 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough.
  • Check-in: Wed. Oct 1, 8am-5pm
  • Check-in: Thurs., Oct 2, 8am-5pm
  • Check-in: Friday, Oct. 3, 8am – 10am
• Harvest Moon Party: Thursday, October 2, 6-9pm. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and live music at Eno River Brewing: 329 Eno Mountain Rd., Hillsborough. This event is free for all artists. Artists will receive two free drink tickets a meal ticket worth $15 at a food truck.
• Painting Turn-in at the Thomas Stevens Gallery: No later than 12:30pm on Friday, October 3^rd.  Please note, all paintings must be received by the deadline – no exceptions.
• Opening events on Friday, October 3:
  • Preview Party for sponsors and artists:  5-6pm at the Thomas Stevens Gallery and Orange County Main Library (youth)
  • Awards Announcements and live music with T-Gold: 6pm at Yonder Southern Cocktails & Brew (114 W. King St., next door to Thomas Stevens Gallery
  • Wet Paint Sale: 6-9pm the Thomas Stevens Gallery and Orange County Main Library (youth)
  • Exhibit Dates: Friday, October 3rd through Saturday, November 8th

Your hotel stay in Orange County helps fund the arts commission! Many hotel and Bed & Breakfast options are available and we encourage you to support our local Orange County lodging options. Our official hotel for Paint it Orange is the beautiful Colonial Inn in Downtown Hillsborough. Call the inn at 984-789-4455 and mention Paint it Orange for a 20% discount! Visit www.visitchapelhill.org/hotels for options in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Visit www.visithillsboroughnc.com/places-to-stay for other options in Hillsborough. There’s also many options listed through Airbnb and VRBO.

Q: I want to paint but can’t afford the fee. Can I still participate?
A: Yes – we want anyone who wishes to participate to be able to! While we try to keep participation fees for Paint it Orange low, we don’t want financial barriers to prevent participation. When you register, you’ll find a “Pay What You Can” ticket and you’re welcome to donate any amount – whether that is $0 or $30. Please note Paint it Orange is a fundraiser for the Orange County Arts Alliance and all registration fees are used to support support its mission to expand the capacity of the Orange County Arts Commission, as together, they create, develop, and grow the arts of Orange County, North Carolina.
Q: Can I register on site?
A: Not this year. Due to our flood, the Eno Arts Mill is closed and our Point of Sale system deactivated. All registrations will need to go through our online platform, Zeffy. 
Q: Do I have to frame thick canvas?
A: If you choose to work on a gallery wrapped canvas that is at least 1″ thick, or other “sturdy” surfaces such as recycled metal and wood, you don’t need to frame the work. However, it must be wired for hanging – no sawtooth hangers! Finished edges are encouraged for all canvases, especially those thicker than 1″. 
Q: Are surfaces other than canvas allowed?
A: Yes! You can use paper, cardboard, recycled materials… whatever you wish to use that can be properly wired for exhibiting.
Q: Can my surface be primed/toned?
A: Yes.
Q: Are other mediums allowed?
A: Yes! Watercolor, pastel, charcoal, crayon… whatever you wish to use.
Q: I am a watercolorist using watercolor paper. Won’t the stamp show through the paper?
A: Potentially yes, so we’ll have our check-in volunteers lightly sign a corner of your paper indicating it was checked.
Q: I want to frame my work behind glass, but am worried that it might be wet. What do I do?
A: Our suggestion is to either frame your work without glass (especially if you’re working in oil!) or finish early enough to let your work dry before painting turn-in.
Q: What are the funds raised by this event being used for?
A: Funds generated by the event will support the Orange County Arts Alliance (OCAA), the nonprofit partner of the Orange County Arts Commission created to further support and nurture the creative community of Orange County. 
Other questions? Email us at kmurray (at) orangecountync (dot) gov.

We still have a few artist spots left – Register now to reserve your spot!

Amy Ferguson – Chapel Hill, NC
Ann Hobgood – Hillsborough, NC
Ann Hair – Wilmington, NC
Anne Mandeville-Long – Chapel Hill, NC
Audrey Trapolsi – Chapel Hill, NC
Barbara Reed – Wilmington, NC
Barbara Younger – Hillsborough, NC
Bern Campbell – Hillsborough, NC
Beth Barger – Apex, NC
Bren West – Chapel Hill, NC
Brooke Newhart – Roxboro, NC
Bryan Scott – Spring Lake, NC
Carol Blackmore – Chapel Hill, NC
Carol Strickland – Efland, NC
Catherine Kramer – Hillsborough, NC
Chrystal Hardt – Roxboro, NC
Crystal Carpenter – Wake Forest, NC
Calvin Ulrich – Durham, NC
E Patton – Hillsborough, NC
Emily Anderson – Chapel Hill, NC
Emily Eve Weinstein – Chapel Hill, NC
Emily White – Cary, NC
Erin Morgan – Mebane, NC
Grace Witsil – Chapel Hill, NC
Hannah Gill – Carrboro, NC
Henry Arnette – Mebane, NC
Hunter Shelly – Raleigh, NC
Jackie Hamel – Raleigh, NC
Jacquelin Harrell – Hillsborough, NC
Jacqueline Clary – Durham, NC
Jacqueline Rimmler – Cedar Grove, NC
Jake Bialos – Hillsborough, NC
Jason Clewell – Mooresville, NC
Jean Cerasani – Graham, NC
Jennifer Niemiroski – Hillsborough, NC
John O’Neill – Wilson, NC
Joseph Garrett – Hillsborough, NC
Julian Phelps – Hillsborough, NC
Julie Wolk – Chapel Hill, NC
Kara O’Dor – Durham, NC
Karen Santrock – Raleigh, NC
Katharine March – Staunton, VA
Kathleen Macfie – Hillsborough, NC
Kathryn Olive – Durham, NC
Kristin Smith – Mebane, NC
Laura Oleniacz – Durham, NC
Libby Fosso – Chapel Hill, NC
Lindsay McKelvey – Mebane, NC
Linda Hauser – Wake Forest, NC
Lynda Curry – Carrboro, NC
Madalyn Baldwin – Chapel Hill, NC
Madison Kraft – Durham, NC
Marcia McDade McMann – Cedar Grove, NC
Margaret Mueller – Mebane, NC
Margaret O’Brien Maples – Hillsborough, NC
Maria LeFrancois – Raleigh, NC
Mark Miller – Carrboro, NC
Marvin Cook – Wilson, NC
Maryjo Gunning – Mooresville, NC
Maya Barton – Chapel Hill, NC
Melanie Maqueda Tlaczani – Durham, NC
Melissa McCullough – Chapel Hill, NC
Meredith Haggerty – Hillsborough, NC
Micayla Lettich – Haw River, NC
Michael Mink – Hillsborough, NC
Min Zhong – Raleigh, NC
Nancy Smith – Carrboro, NC
Natalia Kiseleva – Chapel Hill, NC
Nathan Jacobsen – Durham, NC
Patricia Martin – Pittsboro, NC
R. Scott Horner – Chapel Hill, NC
Rachel Brown – Siler City, NC
Scott Dwyer – Hillsborough, NC
Scott Williams – Hillsborough, NC
Shady Kimzey – Carrboro, NC
Sheila Brooks – Burlington, NC
Shirley Ruff – Hillsborough, NC
Sia Karamalegos – Durham, NC
Sonja Cook – Durham, NC
Stephen K Camu – Raleigh, NC
Susan Marchman – Chapel Hill, NC
Susan Eversole – Chapel Hill, NC
Susan Paulsen – Chapel Hill, NC
Ted Smith – Montpelier, VT
Vinita Jain – Raleigh, NC
Willow Krotchko – Apex, NC

Registration fee is $25 before September 1, $30 as of September 1. We also have a “pay what you can” option. Online payments are subject to a small processing fee. Click here to register!

Paint it Orange is a perfect way to support the local arts community and have your business participate in a fun event! All sponsors above $200 will receive an invitation to the Harvest Moon Party on Thursday, October 2, and the Awards Reception & Preview Party on Friday, October 3, 5-6pm, giving you the first opportunity to view this year’s work. Click here for more information and email kmurray (at) orangecountync (dot) gov with questions.

Orange County’s farms and rural sites have always been a draw for Paint it Orange artists, but unlike in busy downtown areas, artists are sometimes unsure of where they are welcomed in our rural community. By registering your property, you will help us create a list of rural sites, list them on our maps, and allow us to display “Paint Here” sign(s) at your property.

For more info and registration, visit www.artsorange.org/piofarms.