Plein Air Brandywine Valley Artist Information

Artists are invited to submit applications and portfolios with a non- refundable $25.00 application fee through the Plein Air Brandywine Valley event website. January 2020: we will begin artist applications, and close artist registration on Friday, July 10, 2020. Qualifying artists will be notified by July 31, 2020. 
Artists who are selected MUST confirm attendance by Friday, August 21, 2020. An official will review of the event rules and rules pertaining to the various sites at the Artist Gathering on Sunday, September 20, 2020 (Time and location of Artists' Gathering TBD).

Canvases (and other surfaces) will be stamped at the Artist Gathering. Work must be completed in the time frame allotted and submitted to the committee the following morning at the “Main Location” identified on each day.

Prizes

Plein Air Brandywine Valley judges will award prizes in the following categories:

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Plein Air Brandywine Valley (PABV) is open to all artists ages 18 and above working in pastel, oil acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media.

APPLICATION PROCESS: A non-refundable application fee of $25.00 will be collected per artist at the time of registration to the PABV event. Register online at www.pleinairbrandywinevalley.org.

Contact Justin Nixon (302.645.9184) if you encounter technical issues as you apply.

This is a juried event. Once artists are accepted into PABV, they will be responsible for submitting a $75.00 registration fee confirming their participation in the event. Those paying by check should be sure to write “PABV Registration” in the memo field. Make checks payable to Children’s Beach House and mail to the address below:

Children’s Beach House

1800 Bay Avenue, Lewes, DE 19958

Credit card payments may also be made by calling the Children’s Beach House office at 302.645-9184 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday – Friday or by visiting our website: www.pleinairbrandywinevalley.org . The deadline for applications will be posted on the website. Submit applications early to be considered!

EVENT REGISTRATION: Artists may check in and have canvases stamped at the Artist Gathering/Orientation, on the Sunday before the event starts.

ARTISTS’ GATHERING: Participating artists must attend an Artist Gathering (Orientation) on the Sunday before the event starts. Date, time and location will be posted on the website and/or email notifications will be sent. Artists will have the opportunity for Q&A and will receive additional event information.

PAINTING REQUIREMENTS

SUBJECT MATTER: All work must be original and be created outdoors—in the natural elements of the approved venues during the PABV event, not in a studio setting. Any subject created en plein air (in the open air vs. in studio) qualifies. Subjects may include landscapes, wildlife, marine scenes, streetscapes, architectural, environmental portraiture, and others of the artist’s choosing. Images of painters or other PABV- related scenes are encouraged.

Each artist must submit a minimum of four original pieces created at a minimum of three different locations within the timeframes advertised for specific locations on specific days to be eligible for an award. Artists may submit a maximum of 10 pieces for submission.

PAINTING: Painting opportunities are scheduled from Monday through Thursday. All works are to be completed outdoors in the natural elements and NOT in a studio or indoor spaces. Entries must be scenes from one of the approved venues without the use of a camera or tutelage of any kind. Please mark the location on the back of your painting using the (removable) identification stickers provided.

SIZE/FRAMING/MATTING:  All work must be matted and framed. No un-framed “gallery wrapped” canvas will be accepted. All work must be wired for hanging in the exhibition.  NO saw-toothed hangers will be accepted!  Dimensions of each work should not exceed 30” on any side, including frame.

DISCLAIMER:  PABV is not responsible for loss or damage to any submitted works, but reasonable caution and diligent care will be taken with all submissions.

PABV reserves the right to disqualify works deemed objectionable. We also reserve the right to disqualify any entry that does not adhere to the rules and guidelines of the contest. All decisions of PABV are considered final.

PREVIOUS EXHIBITION OR PUBLICATION:  Paintings may not have been previously exhibited or published and must have been taken at the approved venue between the approved hours.

AWARDS & EXHIBIT AWARDS:  Awards will be determined at the discretion of the contest judges and contest coordinators. All work submitted for judging MUST BE FOR SALE. Work an artist decides not to sell during the PABV event may not be judged for an award or hung for display.

CONDITIONS AND LICENSING:  Winning artists agree to make available to PABV high-resolution digital images of all winning entries if requested. If an image of a non-winning piece of artwork is used by PABV, a $50 licensing fee will be paid at the time of final publication or printing. In any case, licensing will be solely for the purpose of promoting PABV. These uses may include but are not limited to publication in advertisements, website, and other promotional applications. Any requests for reproduction of winning images by artists, galleries, businesses, or entities other than those named hereinabove, will be negotiated directly with the artist.

1. ENTRY DEADLINE: Entries are to be delivered to drop-off points identified throughout the event.

2. Each artist must submit a minimum of four pieces from three locations and a maximum of ten pieces for inclusion in the judging, exhibition, and sale. Artists can turn in up to 3 pieces each day and are required to submit work regularly during the week so it can be properly cataloged. (This does not include entries from the Quick Draw or Nocturne) All works must be turned in PRIOR to the Friday of the Opening Reception to be accepted into the show/competition/sale.

3. All work submitted for judging must be for sale.

4. Each submission must have a (removable) PABV label attached to the top right corner of the back of the frame and be accompanied by the completed inventory form. Labels and inventory forms will be distributed at the Artists’ Gathering/Orientation on the Sunday before the event begins. PABV reserves the right to reject any work that is not properly registered, framed, or ready to be hung.

5. JUDGING: Judging will occur on Friday by qualified judges. The "presentation" of your work will be part of the scoring system, so frame your entries in a manner that enhances your work.

6. OPENING RECEPTION: The reception will open to ticket holders on Friday from 7:00PM—10:00PM

7. All artists will receive free admission to the reception. Please RSVP to Justin Nixon at 302.645.9184 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you CANNOT attend. Artists’ guests are required to pay $100 /person for the reception. 

8. EXHIBITION: The exhibit will open on Friday at 6:30 p.m. for artists and at 7:00 p.m. for ticket purchasers. It will continue to be open and work will be for sale on Saturday and Sunday and admission is free.

Exhibit Hours

• Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

10. EXHIBIT TAKE-DOWN: Sunday at 4:00 PM. All unsold work must be removed at this time. Artists are expected to remove any unsold work and be completely checked-out by 5:00 PM.

11. COMMISSION: A gallery commission of 40% will be charged for each piece sold. The 40% shall be a gallery fee to the beneficiary, Children’s Beach House.