Save the dates for the 9th Annual Plein Air Unleashed Event. April 29-May 4 This event has become one of the largest gatherings of plein air painters in the state! Come out to watch award winning painters working on locations throughout Middlesex County.
Plein Air Unleashed is held the last week of April (Monday – Saturday) each year. Some artists come a day early, some stay a day late and many spend the entire week here painting.
Artists from across Virginia and Maryland are invited to spend the week in Middlesex County, Virginia painting our beautiful scenery “en plein air”. Patrons are able to see fine artists working in a variety of mediums, out in natural settings, striving to catch the light in their interpretations of the scenery. This en plein air method is most often associated with the famous impressionist painters like Monet, although it was practiced in many other art movements. At the beginning of the week, we provide an online map of the suggested painting locations so that local community artists can go out and see the exhibiting artists at work and even paint out with them. The event culminates with a Friday night preview reception of the wet paintings created during the week. On Saturday of the event, exhibiting artists are on location around the DCA building to paint, do demos, and greet patrons. The Plein Air Unleashed event is free to everyone to attend. The preview reception on Friday night is free but does requires advance registration to attend.
The Region
Middlesex County, Virginia is located along the Chesapeake Bay and bordered by the Rappahannock and Piankatank Rivers with over 135 miles of shoreline. Deltaville, Urbanna, Hartfield, Saluda, and Topping are just a few of the communities located within the county. Deltaville, billed as the boat building capital of the bay, literally has more boats than people. The boat building history can be seen at the Deltaville Maritime Museum. Deltaville is also home of one of the oldest wooden ball parks still active in the country Urbanna, who claims the largest oyster festival in the country, is a historic seaside port town with a mix of main street charm, history, and water heritage. The county is a mix of farmland, waterfront, maritime industry, historic buildings and charming small communities. Throughout the county you will find quaint Inns, boutique shops, a variety of fresh dining options, and incredible scenic views to make your visit memorable.
The event starts April 29 – the artists paint out on locations across Middlesex April 29th – May 3rd morning. May 3rd, we have a wet paint preview reception of the works created 6pm at the Deltaville Community Association’s’ Community Center. May 4th the exhibit of the works continues 9am – 4pm with artist doing demos in the vicinity.
We will have open, public demonstrations around the county during the week as well.
Last year the artists created 96 paintings of our scenery.
We will have 38 painting locations across Middlesex.
Typical Schedule for the 9th annual event (April 29th – May 4th)
Monday – Thursday – artists painting on location throughout the region all day
Friday – artists painting on location throughout the region in the morning
Friday Night Preview Reception at 6pm – Meet the artists and preview many of the works created
Saturday 9am-4pm – Exhibit of the works on display and sale. Artists on location in the area of the DCA building painting, doing demos, and exhibit opens, local community artists invited to come paint on the grounds.
The Friday reception and the Saturday exhibit will take place at the Deltaville Community Center located at 17147 General Puller Hwy in Deltaville, VA.
Learn more about this event at https://allureartcenter.com/events/plein-air-unleashed-2024/
