The Dartmouth Cultural Center is preparing for its 6th annual Wet Paint Padanaram plein air event on Saturday, September 21st, but artists must complete their registration by Monday, September 10th.
In this event, artists go out into the community to paint their surroundings, with a focus on the natural environment. The French term “plein air” refers to painting outdoors.
Artists come to the cultural center at 9am to have their canvas or paper stamped, proving they started work that day. They are then given a map with designated public access points where they can set up for the day.
They leave the paint to dry at their chosen location until they are finished or until 3pm. The artists then return to the Cultural Center with their artwork at 3.30pm and the gallery opens to the public at 4pm.
An independent jury will select three winners who will receive a cash prize. This year’s juror is artist and professor Amy Araujo.
Artists can apply dartmouthculturalcenterinc.org/events/ to log in.
So far, just over two dozen artists have signed up, and as the date approaches, more are expected to sign up, says gallery director Jill Law.
Due to the amount of donations, the prize money was doubled to $1,000.
“It’s very rewarding,” Law said of the event. Having curated over 40 exhibitions featuring over 1,000 artists at the center, the En Plein Air event is “just another facet” of the work she has become proud of.
“I love raising awareness of the waterfront,” she added. “I love bringing people to the village.”
She stressed that the event would be beneficial not only for the city but also for the Padanaram Business Association.
“The village looks beautiful when the artists paint their works on the shore,” she said. “What could be more idyllic, right?”
