OCEAN CITY — The paint may still be a little tacky on the canvasses, but the opportunity to buy original art created locally just hours before — and meet the artists who created it — is out of the ordinary on Aug. 13 at the Ocean City Center for the Arts.
More than 50 artists will paint the picturesque spots of the Ocean City area during the annual “Artists Paint OC” plein air event this week. They will then gather at the Arts Center on Saturday to hang their best work and offer it for sale from 6-8 p.m. at a free reception open to the public.
“En plein air” is a French expression that means “in the open air,” used to describe the art of painting outdoors. Plein air events take place wherever the scenery is inspirational, artists congregate to paint it, and watchers gather to see the painters make art right before their eyes.
Baltimore Magazine recently listed “Artists Paint OC” in their “50 Reasons Why We Love Our Beach.”
In 2015, a crowd of over 300 gathered at the Ocean City Center for the Arts for the opportunity to collect local, original art at affordable prices.
“We have people who come every year to see what their favorite artist created this time, as many artists return year after year,” said Rina Thaler, executive director of the Ocean City Center for the Arts. “Then we also welcome first-time visitors who may be decorating a home or condo and want something more original and local than a poster for their walls.”
The entries for the Wet Paint Sale will continue on display at the Arts Center through August 27. All major credit cards are accepted, and Art League of Ocean City members received a discount on all purchases, including art.
The Ocean City Center for the Arts at 502 94th Street is the home of the Art League of Ocean City, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects.
Financial support comes primarily through membership dues from individuals and corporate sponsors. Funding for exhibits is also provided by the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.
More information is available at 410-524-9433 or www.artleagueofoceancity.org.