NOTE: To register for September demo/workshop with Ray Ewing, see bottom of this page.

Paint Dover! is a one-day plein air painting event and art competition in downtown Dover, to be held on Friday, October 4. Amateur and professional artists are invited to paint from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., after which a "wet paint" exhibition and awards presentation will be held between 4:30 and 7 p.m.

“En plein air” is a French expression that means “in the open air” used to describe the art of painting outdoors. Artists from around the region will take to the streets, the parks, sidewalks and outdoor cafes to participate. Inspired by downtown Dover’s architectural landscape, historic commercial buildings, gardens and scenery, artists will quickly capture changing light and shadows, and the “spirit” of downtown Dover. The community is invited to watch artists throughout the day, attend the judging of paintings, and even cast their vote for best in show via a “People’s Choice” award, after which they may purchase artwork…some of which is still wet on the canvas!

Paint Dover! is part of Arts Alive at Five! and is offered in conjunction with First Fridays in downtown Dover. Workshops will be led during First Fridays in the months of July, August, and September by Vivienne Cameron, Administrator of Urban Sketchers of Delaware, as well as two master plein air artists, R. Stacy Rogers and Ray Ewing. These workshops and demos will feature sketching/drawing, oil painting, and watercolor & pastel combination techniques and will inspire amateurs and add tips to the “toolbox” of professional artists in preparation for the October 4 Paint Dover! all-day plein air event, competition, and exhibition.

See end of page for detailed descriptions of each of the monthly demos/workshops.*

Paint Dover! will be held rain or shine on Friday, October 4, 2019, from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. and in conjunction with downtown Dover First Friday activities from 5-9 p.m. Artists will be provided with a map of the downtown Dover area - the designated area in which paintings are to be completed.

Location of painting: Painters may paint the many residences, shops and eateries on the traditional "Main Street" downtown corridor of Loockerman Street and adjacent streets, as well historic residences at The Green, the First State National Historical Park and also a national historic district: https://www.nps.gov/frst/planyourvisit/the-green-dover.htm)

NOTE: A map of the designated painting area, as well as recommendations for parking, will be provided to artists. See www.DowntownDoverPartnership.com for more information about downtown.

Cost: $20 per participant, non-refundable.

Registration: takes place via this Eventbrite site. Early registration is requested.

Exhibition: The event will culminate in awards presentation, exhibition, and artwork sales at 126 Loockerman Way Plaza (with alternate location at the Dover Art League, 21 Loockerman Street.) Artists must have work mounted to their easel for judging by 4:30 p.m. sharp at the Dover Art League. People's Choice award will be voted on by participating artists and the public. All awards will be announced at 6:30 p.m.

Artists are invited to enjoy a casual, complimentary dinner at the Dover Art League from 4:45 to 6 p.m.

Awards: Artwork will be judged and a variety of cash and prizes will be awarded in each (professional and amateur) category, as follows:

• Professional: At least three awards (combation monetary and gift certificate awards)
• Amateur: Best Emerging Professional and two (2) Honorable Mentions (combination of monetary and gift certificate awards)
• People's Choice: Sponsor Award to be determined

Sales: Sale of artwork is encouraged. Nevertheless, all artwork must remain on display until 7 p.m., including work that has been sold. Artists are responsible for sales of their work and are encouraged to bring a Square® for credit card sales transactions. There will be no sales transactions handled by Main Street Dover. There will be no commission costs paid by artists to Main Street Dover for sales of artwork.

On site check-in: 7 - 10 a.m. The House of Coffi at 14 E Loockerman Street in Dover. Artists arriving after 10 a.m., please check in at the Dover Art League at 21 Loockerman Street.

Workshops and Demos:

• July Workshop Completed! - Urban Sketching: Artist, Teacher, and Life Coach Vivienne Cameron

• August Workshop Completed! - Oil Painting: Master Artist Stacy Rogers

• September - Watercolor/Pastel: Master Artist, Ray Ewing Click here to register

• October 4 - Plein Air Event - Register on this page! ("Tickets")

Paint Dover! and preparatory workshops leading up to this event are produced by Main Street Dover and partially funded by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. PaintDover! is part of The 2019 Big Draw Festival DE presented by Mispillion Art League.

Special thanks to Paint Dover! event sponsors: Jerry's Artarama and Dick Blick. Additional sponsors will be listed in near future.

NOTE: Changes may be made to this information prior to the event. Every effort will be made to provide interested parties and participants with updates to information.