Dartmouth Cultural Center is preparing for its 6th annual “Wet Paint Padanaram” plein air event Saturday, Sept. 21. Artists will need to finalize their registration, however, by Monday, Sept. 10.
The event sends artists 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 9 a.m. to get their canvas or paper stamped, proving that the work began that day. They then receive a map with designated public access points where they can set up for the day.
At their chosen location, they set paint until finished, or until 3 p.m. The artists then come back to the cultural center at 3:30 p.m. with their artwork, and the gallery opens to the public at 4 p.m.
An independent juror will select three winners, who will receive a cash prize. This year’s juror is artist and professor Amy Araujo.
Artists can head to dartmouthculturalcenterinc.org/events/ to sign up.
There are just over two dozen artists signed up so far, with more to be anticipated as the date approaches, according to Gallery Director Jill Law.
Due to the amount of donations, the prize money has been doubled to $1,000.
“It’s very rewarding,” Law said of the event. Having curated over 40 exhibits with over 1,000 artists at the center, the “En Plein Air” event is “just another facet” of the work she’s come to be proud of.
“I love bringing awareness to the waterfront,” she added. “I love bringing people into the village.
She highlighted the benefit of the event for not only the town, but the Padanaram Business Association.
“The Village looks beautiful with artists set up around the waterfront painting,” she said. “What could be more idyllic than that, right?”
