Paint Dover! Plein Air Painting Event, Competition and Exhibition

Paint Dover! is a one-day plein air painting event and art competition in downtown Dover, to be held on Friday, October 4, rain or shine! This inaugural art event is part of Arts Alive at Five! and is offered in conjunction with First Fridays in downtown Dover.

Amateur and professional artists, as well as high school and college students, are invited to paint from 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., after which a "wet paint" exhibition will be held between 4:30 and 7 p.m. An awards presentation will be held at 6 p.m. at Loockerman Way Plaza, 126 Loockerman Street (Rain location at the Dover Art League, 21 Loockerman Street.)

“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!

Location of painting: Upon arrival at check-in, artists will be provided with a map of the downtown Dover area - the designated area in which paintings are to be completed, locations of rest rooms, and parking pass that should be placed in the dash of their vehicle over the steering wheel and used on street parking and in permit parking lots. Painters may paint the many residences, shops and eateries on the traditional "Main Street" downtown corridor of Loockerman and State Streets 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 at check-in. See www.DowntownDoverPartnership.com for more information about downtown.

Cost: $20 per participant, non-refundable. College student reduced rate is $10and high school students are free of charge, BUT ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER.

REGISTRATION: Pre-registration via this Eventbrite site is preferred and registration by FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 is requested to ensure sufficient welcome materials and food at casual dinner being provided to artists. Nevertheless, there will be limited registration on site.

Exhibition: The event will culminate in awards presentation, exhibition, and artwork sales at 126 Loockerman Way Plaza (with alternate poor weather location at the Dover Art League, 21 Loockerman Street.) Artists may submit up to two pieces for competition. Arework for exhibition (including up to two pieces for competition) must be mounted to their easel(s) for judging beginning at 4 and not later than 4:30 p.m. sharp at Loockerman Way Plaza, ready for commencement of judging. People's Choice award will be voted on by participating artists (4:30-4:45) and the public until 6 p.m. All awards will be announced beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Loockerman Way Plaza (or alternate poor weather location, shown above.j

Casual dinner for artists: Artists are invited to enjoy a casual, complimentary dinner at the Dover Art League from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. and by 5:45 return to Loockerman Way Plaza where awards will be announced at 6:00 p.m.

Entry Guidelines:

Artwork must be framed and wired for hanging.

Artwork identification tags must be completed and attached to each painting, to include artist name, title of artwork, medium and price. Identification taxes will be provided at registration and these tags MUST be used to identify paintings. If painting is not for sale, it must be labeled “NFS“ in the price line.

Artwork completed during the Paint Dover! event may be sold prior to hanging, but ALL work completed during the event must be displayed until 7 p.m.

Easels and artwork must be removed from display by the artists by 7:15 p.m. Any artwork remaining will be moved to 101 West Loockerman Street (Cendel Building) at 7:30 p.m. and arrangements will need to be made by artist to pick up the work by October 15. (No work will be shipped.) Artwork not picked up by October 30 will become the property of Main Street Dover.

Main Street Dover will provide artwork chaperones to watch artwork from 4:30-6 p.m. and will make every effort to ensure safety of the artwork while artists are eating dinner and during the voting and judging, Main Street Dover shall not be held responsible for damage to artwork on display or after displays are removed, and artists should ensure that artwork is hung/mounted are fully and securely, so as not to fall, etc.

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

- Professional: Several monetary and gift card awards

- Amateur: Best Emerging Professional/First Place and up to two (2) Honorable Mentions (combination of monetary and gift certificate awards

- Student: award(s) of merit

- Mayor Christiansen’s Choice: selected from among ALL paintings

- PAM Rehabilitation of Dover staff selection(s): selected from among ALL paintings

- People's Choice: Sponsor Award to be determined

• NOTE: Main Street Dover reserves the right to adjust above award categories/awards as conditions warrant.

Sales: Sale of artwork is encouraged, and every effort will be made by Main Street Dover to market the event widely to support art sales In this inaugural event.

IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING SALES:

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 During this inaugural event.

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.

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. Join us throughout the month of October for a multitude of art events throughout the state, many of which are free!

Questions? Contact Diane@DowntownDoverPartnership.com or call 302-678-2940

Special thanks to Paint Dover! award sponsors: City of Dover Mayor Christiansen, PAM Rehabilitation of Dover, Jerry's Artarama and Dick Blick. Additional sponsors will be added.

NOTE: Changes may be made to this information prior to the event. PLEASE CHECK REGISTRATION PACKETS UPON ARRIVAL AT REGISTRATION. Every effort will be made to provide interested parties and participants with updates to information.