Call for Painters - Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival

Call for Painters - Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival

Posted by Lake Superior Art Association

Posted: May, 17, 2017

Art Week - Calls for Artists

 Marquette, MI, 49855

The sixth annual Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival will be held this year throughout Historic and Picturesque Marquette, Michigan and its magnificent shoreline on Friday & Saturday, June 23-24. The festival is part of the “Grand Finale” of the City of Marquette Art Week. Art Week is a week-long celebration of Marquette's creative community held during the last full week of June, featuring a wide range of community art projects, installations, performances, and more. Learn more about Art Week at https://www.mqtcompass.com/artweek/

This year's judging, reception, presentation of awards, and artwork display and sale will be held at Provisions MQT, 401 S. Lakeshore Blvd., one of Marquette’s awesome coffeehouses, featuring tasty baked treats, drinks, croissants, gelato, and much more! Right on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, close to Lower Harbor Park and downtown Marquette, artists can paint close by on the shoreline, head towards Presque Isle, venture downtown, or seek out new places to paint! The 2023 Plein Air Festival will combine our evening and daytime segments to allow artists to paint both times for one registration fee.

On the evening of Friday, June 23, "Dusk to Dark" will be held. Artists who choose to participate in Dusk to Dark must register and get their canvases stamped that evening at Provisions MQT. Once completed, pieces must be turned in that evening by 10:00 pm. Emphasis should be placed on capturing the evening light, sunset, nighttime cityscapes, etc. Paintings will be safely stored inside Provisions. Saturday, June 24 will be the All-Day painting segment. Artists participating in the daytime competition may get their canvases stamped on Friday evening or Saturday morning, then have until 4:30 pm to submit their pieces for jurying and display at Provisions MQT.

Painters must be at least 17 years old to enter the competition. Artists may paint anywhere within the Historic City of Marquette and along the Lake Superior Shoreline. All paintings must be stamped upon registration and created outdoors and on-site. The key is to capture real life scenes and scenery that have been inspired by the Marquette landscape and residents.

Interested artists may pre-register to save on entry fees, or register the day(s) of. To pre-register, visit https://www.lakesuperiorartassociation.org/?p=1150.

There are two entry levels:

(1) Professional and advanced painters
(2) Novice, intermediate, and/or recreational painters.

It is up to the artist to place themselves in the appropriate category and pay the appropriate fees. Entry fees are as follows, to be paid upon check-in at the event when you bring your canvases to get stamped. Entry fees may be paid by cash or check.

Friday - "Dusk to Dark" / Saturday - All Day, one fee includes both times:

  • Level 1: $25 pre-registered / $30 day-of
  • Level 2: $15 pre-registered / $20 day-of

~$2,500 in prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the Festival, including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for both competition levels, people’s choice, and several door prizes. Artists are encouraged to price their artwork if they are interested in selling, as there will be an abundance of attendees at the public showing and reception. Artwork will be judged this year by Rapid River, Michigan’s prize winning and renowned artist Tracy Anderson. You can view Tracy’s artwork at tlandersonart.com. Tracy will also have a few of her wonderful artworks on display at our reception.

For more information, please contact Marlene at marlenesew@gmail.com or the City of Marquette Office of Arts & Culture at arts-culture@marquettemi.gov or (906) 228-0472.