Observe Artists, Purchase Artwork During 11th Annual Harford Plein Air Festival

BEL AIR, MD — The 11th annual Harford Plein Air Festival returns to Bel Air with professional artists from across the country depicting scenes and vibes of Harford County while competing for thousands of dollars in cash prizes.

Since its inception, more than 100 plein air painters have earned more than $100,000 in awards and sales at the festival, organizers said. Plein air requires artists to paint landscapes outdoors while capturing the essence of a scene through natural light, color and movement.

"Guests will be amazed by the level of talent at the festival. Plein Air is considered one of the most difficult styles of painting because it takes place all outdoors, without the use of photography or anything predetermined. The artists must capture the details of lighting, weather and landscape from observation at that moment," Amy Riley, cultural events coordinator for the Maryland Center for the Arts, told Patch.

"Each year offers an exciting mix of new and previously juried artists, as well as new sponsors alongside ongoing relationships with regular sponsors of our Plein Air Festival. So, while there is a lot of continuity to the quality of our festival, it's always exciting to expand our community of artists and supporters," Riley added. "Also, I am very proud of the Center's decision to continually incorporate local artists and youth into the Quick Draw competition, as well as welcoming those new to the art world to observe and speak with the professional artists."

The 30 juried artists participating in the 2025 festival can paint at various locations across Harford
County and can submit one painting from outside the county. They're able to work on their piece between July 1 and Sept. 12.

Denise McDaniel, an artist from Darlington, is a representational oil painter, she told Patch.

"Plein Air is the best way to get your work seen. I love to paint out in public. There is a positive energy that is created with interactions of passers-by. I especially enjoy the reactions of children," McDaniel told Patch. "My art reflects a lifetime of study and practice that began with a love of children’s book illustrations and is informed by academic training and museum scholarship. I earned my BFA from Moore College of Art and I am a member of the Princeton University Art Museum Docent Association."

This will be her fourth time participating in the Harford County Plein Air Festival, she said.

"It is an artist’s dream to paint in Harford County - there are so many subjects to choose from - the Chesapeake Bay, agricultural landscapes, historic sites and picturesque small towns," McDaniel told Patch. "This year I have been drawn to paint gardens and sailboats."

Riley told Patch that this year, guests can watch the artists painting live outdoors in both Ladew Gardens and downtown Bel Air.

"We will have a painting gallery set up in the Bel Air Armory all weekend, free and open to the public, for browsing and purchasing paintings and speaking directly to the artists. Moreover, everyone is invited to attend our gallery opening reception and awards ceremony, with refreshments, live music and the presentation of various artists' awards determined by both people's choice and an awards judge," Riley said.

She encouraged everyone to check out the Harford Plein Art Festival, because "it's a chance to celebrate the landscape, heritage and architecture of Harford County."

"Each painting was completed during this year's festival, beginning July 1, and the artists themselves will be there to discuss their paintings with the visitors. Paintings are for sale and a portion of each painting sold benefits the Maryland Center for the Arts, a nonprofit. Plein Air paintings also make unique additions to a home or office and special gifts that appreciate in value," Riley told Patch.

A schedule of events is as follows:

• Thursday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon – Observe juried plein air artists paint at Ladew Topiary Gardens in Monkton.

• Friday, Sept. 12, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. – Grand opening of the Harford Plein Air Gallery and awards reception at the Bel Air Armory with musical performances and refreshments. Attendees have the opportunity to meet the artists and view/purchase artwork.

• Saturday, Sept. 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. – Juried and community artists (age 18+) participate in the Quick Draw competition in downtown Bel Air. Artists have two hours to start and finish their paintings, with judging by a professional artist, awards, and sales to follow.

• Sunday, Sept. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Young Artists Day features painting activities and a quick draw competition for ages 13-17.
• Saturday, Sept. 13, through Sunday, Sept. 14 – The Harford Plein Air Exhibition and Sales Gallery at the Bel Air Armory is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Festival paintings will be available for viewing and purchase online through the end of October.