The registration for youth is now closed. Come join us at the Eno Arts Mill on Friday, October 4th from 6-9pm to see the youth artwork!
The Orange County Arts Commission presents the 8th Annual Paint It Orange Plein Air Paint-Out and Wet Paint Sale September 28 – October 4, 2024. Last year’s Paint it Orange hosted 75 painters from two states, and featured over 150 works of original fine art during the Wet Paint Sale! 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. Read about last year’s winners here.
Returning this year, we have added a youth competition open to 50 middle and high schoolers in both Orange County school systems. Artwork will be displayed in the Eno Arts Mill Hall Gallery 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.
Read below for guidelines and more information.
JUROR:
Lynn Mehta, an award-winning artist based in Virginia, is recognized for her rich oil paintings, characterized by a generous use of juicy paint and harmonious color. Her art is a reflection of her connection to the ever-changing visual world around. She blends abstract shapes and forms inspired by a wide range of landscapes and elements. Her paintings are impressionistic, emphasizing the color of light and the overall impression of the scene. It is important for Mehta to create a painting that is interesting up close and further away.
Growing up along the Pacific Ocean, Mehta has been an artist as long as she can remember and was inspired by the work of her mother who painted outside. Mehta earned her B.A. in Art from San Diego State University, and has studied with an impressive list of acclaimed artists in the US and abroad.
A distinguished member in a host of organizations, Mehta holds Signature Membership Status in the American Impressionist Society, the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, and the American Society of Marine Artists. Her broad membership includes the Salmagundi Club in New York City, the Washington Society of Landscape Painters, and Oil Painters of America.
Mehta’s artwork graces galleries, private and public collections, books, and magazines worldwide. Museums and public collectors include the Maryhill Museum of Art in Washington, the National Institutes of Health, and Acadia National Park Artists-in-Residency.
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 through October and November. 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:
- Two 11×14 canvases will be provided for all youth participants.
- Canvases 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: either through the student’s art teacher OR can be picked up at the Eno Arts Mill Friday, September 27 (3-7pm) or Saturday, September 28 (8am-5pm).
- Canvas turn-in: canvases are due back to the Eno Arts Mill by 5pm on Sunday, September 29 or to the student’s art teacher Monday morning, September 30th.
- Juroring and Wet Paint Sale: Youth participants may submit up to two works 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.
- Proceeds from the Wet 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 the end of October. Artists will receive payment by December 31, which will be paid through the parent or guardian on file.
- Unsold Artwork: Artists may donate unsold artwork, pick up their work the week of December 1, or have artwork mailed at their own expense. After January 31, 2025, remaining work will become property of the OCAC.
- Use of images: Artists agree to allow the OCAC use of images produced during the event.
SCHEDULE:
- Registration deadline: Monday, September 16th, 11:59pm
- Canvas pick-up: either through the student’s art teacher OR can be picked up at the Eno Arts Mill Friday, September 27 (3-7pm) or Saturday, September 28 (8am-5pm).
- Painting window: Friday, September 27 – Sunday, September 29.
- Canvas turn-in: canvases are due back to the Eno Arts Mill by 5pm on Sunday, September 29 or to the student’s art teacher Monday morning, September 30th.
- Awards Reception & Preview Party (for artists, family, and sponsors): Friday, October 4 | 5-6pm at the Eno Mill Gallery
- Wet Paint Sale: Begins at 6pm on Friday, October 4 following Awards Reception and Preview Party. Will be on display through November.
FAQ’s
Q: Can I register in person?
A: Yes. You can register in person at the OCAC office (437 Dimmocks Mill Rd., Suite 17, Hillsborough).
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 canvases but are welcome to attache other surfaces, such as watercolor paper, on top of the canvas.
Q: Are other mediums allowed?
A: Yes! Watercolor, pastel, charcoal, crayon, collage… whatever you wish to use.
Other questions? Email us at kmurray (at) orangecountync (dot) gov.
REGISTER
Registration is FREE but required. Please note: registration must be completed by a parent or guardian.
