The registration for youth has closed. Join us Friday, October 3rd from 6-9pm to see the youth artwork!
The Orange County Arts Commission presents the 9th Annual Paint It Orange Plein Air Paint-Out and Paint Sale October 1– October 3, 2025. The event celebrates artists of all types and all abilities and combines gorgeous scenery with the opportunity to meet other painters from around the region.
Returning this year, we have a youth competition open to 50 middle and high schoolers in both Orange County school systems. Artwork will be displayed at the Orange County Main Library in Hillsborough and judged by the Paint it Orange Juror, with both students and the 1st Place school art departments winning cash prizes!
Registration is free but required (parent or guardian must give permission or complete form)
Read below for guidelines and more information.
JUROR:
Brian Keubler is the Decorative Arts, Sculpture, and Ceramics Director at Leland Little.
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.
AWARDS
1st Place High School: $100.00 student/$300 High School Art Department
2nd Place High School: $75.00
3rd Place High School: $50.00
1st Place Middle School: $100.00/$300 Middle School Art Department
2nd Place Middle School: $75.00
3rd Place Middle School: $50.00
People’s Choice: $100.00 People’s Choice voting will be open throughout the exhibit October 3 – November 8, 2025. All Paint it Orange works, including student work, are eligible for People’s Choice.
GUIDELINES FOR YOUTH PARTICIPANTS
- 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.
- Canvases and Painting Timeframe:
- One 11×14 canvas will be provided for all youth participants.
- Canvas will be stamped with the Paint it Orange stamp; only Paint it Orange-stamped canvases are allowed to be submitted for juroring.
- Canvas pick-up: the student’s art teacher will distribute canvases to registered artists at school September 19th.
- Canvas turn-in: canvases are due back to the student’s art teacher Monday morning, September 22nd.
- Juroring and Paint Sale: Youth participants may submit one work for the competition. Only stamped works can be shown or sold. All submitted pieces must be labeled with artist’s name, title, and price. All work must be properly wired (no saw tooth hangers). Watch a video on how to wire your work here. Framing is optional; frame should not exceed 1″. Unframed works must have painted edges. The OCAC reserves the right to exclude works not properly prepared for display. Artwork will remain on display through November 8th in person and online.
- Proceeds from the Paint Sale: For all work sold, the Orange County Arts Alliance (on behalf of the Orange County Arts Commission) will retain a 40% commission. The OCAA will collect all monies from the sale of artwork, including tax, through November 8th. Artists will receive payment by December 31, which will be paid through the parent or guardian email address on file.
- Unsold Artwork: Artists will pick up unsold work from their art teacher after November 13th.
- Use of images: Artists agree to allow the OCAC use of images produced during the event.
SCHEDULE:
- Registration deadline: Monday, September 8th, 5pm
- Canvas pick-up: the student’s art teacher will distribute canvases to registered artists at school September 18th.
- Painting window: Friday, September 19 – Sunday, September 21.
- Canvas turn-in: canvases are due back to the student’s art teacher Monday morning, September 22nd. Paintings must be completely dry!
- Preview (for artists, family, and sponsors): Friday, October 3 | 5-6pm in downtown Hillsborough. OC Main Library (youth) and the Thomas Stevens Gallery (adult)
- Awards announced at 6pm at Yonder Southern Cocktails and Brew.
- Paint Sale: Friday, October 3 following Awards Reception and Preview. Paintings will be on display through November 8th in person and online.
FAQ’s
Q: Can I register in person?
A: Registration must happen online by September 8th (with parent/guardian permission): YOUTH PAINT IT ORANGE REGISTRATION
Q: Can I frame my canvas?
A: Yes, but this is not required. Frames must not exceed 1″ width. Unframed works should have painted edges.
Q: Are surfaces other than canvas allowed?
A: We ask all youth participants to use the provided canvas but are welcome to attach other surfaces, such as watercolor paper, on top of the canvas.
Q: Are other mediums allowed?
A: No oil paint this year–but most other mediums are allowed! Watercolor, pastel, charcoal, crayon, collage… whatever you wish to use, as long as it is completely dry when you turn in the work.
Downtown Hillsborough Locations:
- Youth Exhibit at the Orange County Main Library: 137 W. Margaret Ln
- Adult Exhibit at the Thomas Stevens Gallery: 126 W. King St.
- Awards Announced at Yonder Southern Cocktails and Brew: 114 W. King St.
Other questions? Email us at cpowers (at) orangecountync (dot) gov.
REGISTER
Registration is FREE but required. Please note: registration must be completed by a parent or guardian or with their permission.
