Paint It! Ellicott City 2013 is Coming!

During the weekend of July 12–14, artists will take to the streets of Historic Ellicott City to participate in Paint It! Ellicott City, a plein air painting event. En plein air, meaning “in the open air,” refers to the technique of painting outdoors, directly from life, without the aid of photography. Groups of plein air artists often gather within stated boundaries of a scenic area for what is called a “paint-out.” The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC), Howard County Tourism, and Howard County Public Schools are presenting this paint-out weekend culminating in an exhibit of 25 juried artists at the Howard County Center for the Arts.

The weekend begins with an artist & VIP welcome reception at the Howard County Tourism Welcome Center on Thursday, July 11 from 6–7:30pm. At 6:45pm Paint It! juror Mark Karnes, Painting Professor at Maryland Institute College of Art, will give a presentation on plein air painting. Then, all day on July 12–14, artists will set up their easels around Ellicott City’s historic district and paint the picturesque mill town. Members of the public are encouraged to come watch the artists in action while strolling Main Street’s sidewalks and shops. On the 14th, in the Sunday Market near Mat About You Gallery, there will be a Market Preview from 10am-2pm where visitors can view the artists’ work. Registered artists and art students from the community can also join in the fun, painting alongside the juried artists as “open paint-out” participants.

Artists and visitors may view and purchase the weekend’s artwork at the Howard County Center for the Arts beginning July 15. The juried artists will be featured in HCAC’s Gallery I through August 23; open paint-out artists’ work will be displayed in the Center’s lobby on reception night, then moved to an exhibit at the Howard County Tourism Welcome Center in Ellicott City. During the free opening reception on July 15 from 6-8PM, the juror will hand out awards to the artists, including the Gino Award, a new $2,000 purchase award named in honor of Ellicott City artist Gino Manelli (1915–2010).

Registration is required for those wishing to be included in the open paint-out exhibits. Registration forms are available at the Arts Council, the Howard County Tourism Welcome Center, and online on the ‘Exhibits’ page at www.hocoarts.org.

Paint It! Ellicott City will be on display with purpose repurpose: ferrell & cleaver, featuring contemporary sculptural shelving by Brian Ferrell and fanciful ‘found object’ timepieces by Randall Cleaver, July 15 through August 23, 2013.  Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10 am – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, and Sunday 12 – 4 pm.  To learn more about these and other HCAC programs call 410-313-ARTS (2787).