Ogunquit’s Perkins Cove Plein Air Painting event returns
OGUNQUIT, Maine — One of Maine’s premier cultural happenings will return for its second year on Saturday, Sept. 10.
Meander through Perkins Cove, along the beloved Marginal Way, into the heart of the town of Ogunquit, and along the sandy shores of Ogunquit Beach. Explore paintings as they are created live on the easels of 100 professional and amateur plein air artists who will gather to capture on canvas the coastal majesty of the “Beautiful Place by the Sea.” Plein Air Painting, painting outdoors, is a time-honored tradition amongst the artists who, for more than a century, have been collectively known as the “Artist Colony of Ogunquit.”
The organizers of the festival-like event say, “there are very few towns in the world, especially small towns like Ogunquit, that been depicted so many times by such a wide variety of artists.”
For generations, Ogunquit has welcomed an artful parade of luminary and local artists; drawing, painting, etching, and photographing its boundless inviting nooks and crannies.
Fast forward to the present day, Perkins Cove - the birthplace of the storied Ogunquit Art Colony- is now the heartbeat of one of Maine’s most important cultural happenings: Ogunquit-Perkins Cove Plein Air Event.
This year’s event is scheduled to include 75 professional artists and 25 amateur artists competing for $3,400 in prize money. From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., artists will paint in various locations around Ogunquit and Perkins Cove.
Artist David Lussier will lead a Plein Air Painting Demonstration in Perkins Cove from 12 to 2 p.m. Lussier is an award-winning contemporary impressionist and nationally recognized plein air painter and workshop instructor.
Judging will take place in Perkins Cove from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. with an award presentation for both professional and amateur categories and David Lussier Gallery of Excellent Amateur Award presentation. Finally, the Wet Paint Sale will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Imagine choosing your own piece of Ogunquit-memorialized on canvas that you can cherish long after the memories of this fun art-filled day have faded.
In addition, throughout the day, visitors can enjoy live music performances, art demonstrations, and historical talks which will bolster the lively festival energy of the day.
Perkins Cove and much of Ogunquit is peppered with eateries featuring some of the region’s premier seafood and coastal fare. Come and enjoy the restaurants, art galleries and shopping as you stroll among the painters.
The Ogunquit-Perkins Cove Plein Air Painting Event is presented by the town of Ogunquit and Parks and Recreation with support from the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce.
For more information about the event, visit www.ogunquitperkinscovepleinair.com or follow their Facebook page: Ogunquit Plein Air Painting Event.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ogunquit’s Perkins Cove Plein Air Painting event returns
