6th Annual Paint it Orange Plein Air Paint-out & Wet Paint Sale

Jeremy Sams is an award winning representational artist residing in Archdale, NC. his childhood consisted of spending lots of time in the woods of the Uwharrie Mountains and playing in and along the banks of the Uwharrie River in the southwestern portion of Randolph County, NC. Jeremy’s primary subject matter is landscapes while working in acrylics. Jeremy’s personal inspirations come mostly from the play of light and atmosphere and their effects on objects and landscapes. His most favorite areas of subject matter are the rolling hills and mountains of North Carolina along with its waterways, and special array of trees and meadows. It’s not uncommon to see Jeremy with his outdoor easel set up on the side of the road or on a river bank somewhere with brush in hand. Jeremy was a featured artist in the February-March 2017 issue of “Plein Air Magazine“. Jeremy is currently a member of the North Carolina Plein Air Painters, Triad Outdoor Painters, Charlotte Plein Air Painters and Plein Air Carolina. He is also the founder of the Fellowship of Plein Air Painters.

Visit Jeremy’s website for more information and to view his work and check out his workshop he’s hosting Tuesday, October 4, 9am-5pm. 

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 October. 

• 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 Arts Commission office at the Eno Mill in Hillsborough (see hours under “Schedule”). 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 up to three pieces for juroring, display, and sale.
• Juroring and Wet Paint Sale: Only stamped works can be shown or sold. All submitted pieces must be labeled with artist’s name, title, and price. All work on paper or canvases less than 1″ thick must be framed and properly wired (no saw tooth hangers). 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. Artwork will remain on display through October.
• 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 30% commission. The OCAA will collect all monies from the sale of artwork, including tax, through the end of October. Artists will receive payment by November 30. 
• Unsold Artwork: Artists may donate unsold artwork, pick up their work the week of October 31, or have artwork mailed at their own expense. After January 31, 2023, remaining work will become property of the OCAC.
• Liability: The artist is responsible for insurance of artwork. The OCAC/OCAA will make their best effort to assure the security of the artwork in the Eno Mill Gallery.
• Inclement Weather: The event will take place rain or shine, so please be prepared.
• Use of images: Artists agree to allow the OCAC use of images produced during the event.

A printed map will provided to you in your artist bag; you can also access our Orange County Plein Air Sites Google Map here!

• Artist Check-in: Orange County Arts Commission office/Eno Mill Gallery: 437 Dimmocks Mill Rd., Suite 17 | Hillsborough, NC 27278
  • Wednesday, October 5: 8am-5pm
  • Thursday, October 6: 8am-5pm
  • Friday, October 7: 8am-12pm
• Harvest Moon Party: Wednesday, October 5, 6-9pm. Enjoy barbeque (veggie options too!), live music, and the company of your fellow painters at beautiful Ramble Rill Farm in Hillsborough! Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased with your paint-out registration. A caravan will meet at the Eno Arts Mill and carpooling is encouraged. 
• Painting Turn-in: Friday, October 7 | 8am – 1pm at the OCAC Office
• Awards Reception & Preview Party: Friday, October 7 | 5-6pm at the Eno Mill Gallery
• Wet Paint Sale:  Begins at 6pm on Friday, October 7 following Awards Reception and Preview Party. Will be on display through October.

Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the OCAC will not be arranging host homes for this year’s paint-out due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but many hotel and Bed & Breakfast options are available!

Our official hotel for Paint it Orange is the beautiful Colonial Inn in Downtown Hillsborough.  Email us or call the arts commission office at 919-245-2337 to get the code word for a 10% 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: Yes.  You can register up until Friday morning either online with a credit card or with a check/cash.  Just come by the OCAC office (437 Dimmocks Mill Rd., Suite 17, Hillsborough), and we’ll get you set up!

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 does need to 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: 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 (1pm Friday).

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), a new nonprofit organization created by the Orange County Arts Commission to further support and nurture the creative community of Orange County. Funds raised by the OCAA will support programs such as grants, public art, and arts in education.

Other questions? Email us at PaintitOrangeNC@gmail.com.

2022 PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

• Celena Amburgey – Kannapolis, NC
• Henry Arnette – Mebane, NC
• Maya Barton – Chapel Hill, NC
• Lily Braff – Fuquay-Varina, NC
• Tonya Brami – Hillsborough, NC
• Sheila Brooks – Burlington, NC
• Nancy Carty – Raleigh, NC
• Belynda Chambers – Raleigh, NC
• Lani Chaves – Pittsboro, NC
• Soonja Cook – Durham, NC
• Debbie Corina – Hillsborough, NC
• Ashleigh Corsino – Pinehurst, NC
• Patti Duncan – Monroe, NC
• Karen Fortier- Virginia Beach, VA
• Andrea Frank – Cary, NC
• Andie Freeman – Apex, NC
• Grace Hackney – Efland, NC
• Linda Hauser – Wake Forest, NC
• Julia Illana – Durham, NC
• Katherine Jennings– Chapel Hill, NC
• Sean Kammerlohr- Winston Salem, NC
• Preston King – Homerville, GA
• Mary Lamb – Chapel Hill, NC
• Carroll Lassiter- Chapel Hill, NC
• Ann M Lawtey – Chapel Hill, NC
• Genie Lazcano – Cary, NC
• Maria LeFrancois – Raleigh, NC
• Stacey Lemons – Fuquay Varina, NC
• Carol Lerner – Chapel Hill, NC
• Nerys Levy – Chapel Hill, NC
• Patricia Lunday – Greensborough, NC
• Katharine March – Staunton, VA
• Marcia McMann – Cedar Grove, NC
• Duncan Moore – Durham, NC 
• Rita Moyo – Florence, SC
• Brooke Newhart – Roxboro, NC
• Laura Oleniacz – Durham, NC
• Ricardo Perez – Leland, NC
• Mary Ann Reames – Sumter, SC
• Sarah Redpath – Cary, NC
• Linda Reville – Gibsonville, NC
• Jackie Rimmler – Cedar Grove, NC
• Isolde Sarnecki – Raleigh, NC
• Lynn Schmook – Hillsborough, NC
• Bryan Scott – Spring Lake, NC
• Ellie Snow – Hillsborough, NC
• Robyn Spence – Durham, NC
• Claire Steece-Julich – Mebane, NC 
• Galina Stockstill – Raleigh, NC
• Carol Strickland – Efland, NC
• Lyudmila Tomova Clark – Cary, NC
• Barbara Van Vliet – Chocowinity, NC
• Emily Eve Weinstein – Chapel Hill, NC
• Min Zhong – Raleigh, NC

Registration fee is $25 before September 1, $30 as of September 1.  A student rate of $20 is available (you must present your student ID at check-in).  We also have a “pay what you can” option.  Online payments are subject to a small processing fee.

Click here to register online.

Paint it Orange is a perfect way to support the local arts community and have your business participate in a fun event! New this year, all sponsors will receive an invitation to the Awards Reception & Preview Party, giving you the first opportunity to view this year’s work. Click here to view this year’s sponsor package!