The Plein Air Paint Out will return to the Town of Pike Road, Alabama​ for the third year in a row! We love seeing the beautiful work that these artists produce each year, and can’t wait to see what they paint at The Waters and around Pike Road.

Click here to view the article from the Montgomery Advertiser​ to find out more about the event coming up this month.

More than 25 artists will be participating in the third annual Pike Road Plein Air Paint Out which draws artists from across the country, including Ohio, said Pike Road communications director Kadie Crowell. The event is set for Oct. 16-17.

Professional and amateur artists will spend two days painting en plein air, which means simply ‘in the open air.’ The artists will fan out to begin creating one-of-a-kind works inspired by the area’s scenery and historic sites. Suggested painting locations will be marked with signs, and the public is welcomed to stop and watch the artists.

“Where the artists choose to paint in Pike Road is virtually limitless,” Crowell said. “They could paint scenes of Lake Cameron, pumpkins on a porch, a field with grazing cows, or a local landmark. There will be signs around Pike Road designating ‘Scenic Paint Spots,’ but there is no assurance you will find an artist painting there. The best thing to do is to drive around, enjoy the countryside and look for the artists.”

On Oct. 16, a quick draw competition will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The contest is a traditional competition in plein air painting. The artists who participate are given a blank canvass and then have two hours to complete a painting of an outdoor scene. The competition begins with a horn blast at 2:30 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. The artists then will have 15 minutes to get their painting into a frame and displayed for the judge.

This year the quick draw will be held at The Waters Community in Pike Road. Plein Air art is completed in a variety of mediums including oil, acrylic, water color and charcoals, Crowell said.

“The public is welcome to come out to The Waters on Friday (Oct. 16) and watch the artists paint,” Crowell said. “They love to answer questions to explain their painting process so don’t be shy! The public is also encouraged to come to the judging of the quick draw competition and cheer on their favorite piece.”

The judge for the quick draw is well-known Montgomery artist Nan Cunningham, whose work is sold at galleries throughout the South. The judging will take place next door to H2O Café at The Waters. “H2O Café and Market is gracious to host the artists all day on Friday,” Crowell said. “They have planned a reception for the public to meet and greet the artists during the judging, and will be offering refreshments and music.”

Each painter pays $10 to enter the contest and three winners will split the pot 50 percent, 30 percent, and 20 percent.

On Oct. 17, the public is invited to watch the artists paint all day throughout the community. And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be an art show and sale at Pike Road Town Hall. Sponsors will be entitled to a pre-show sale starting at 5 p.m. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please contact Patty@pikeroad.us or call Patty at 334-272-9883.

“We are thrilled to extend a Pike Road ‘Welcome Home’ to artists from all over the country for the third consecutive year,” Crowell said. “This event has become well-respected in the arts community and has received the highest of recognition by our visiting artists; when they leave, they cannot wait to return.”