FILE PHOTO
Linda Davison Mathues, of New York, sketches on a street corner in down- town Berlin last year during the ninth annual Paint Berlin competition.5

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(Aug. 15, 2019) Calling all artists: spots are still available in the Berlin plein air painting competition next month, when painters will take to the streets of downtown Berlin and the surrounding area to transfer what they see to paper and canvas.

The 10th annual event, hosted by the Worcester County Arts Council, will take place from Sept. 18-21 throughout the town. Registration ends Aug. 31. To register, call the organization at 410-641-0809 or visit worcestercountyartscouncil.org.

she looks forward to the event every year.

“The way they [the artists’] capture the beauty of Berlin is fascinating,” said Anna Mullis, the arts council’s executive director.

Plein air, which translates to outdoors, refers to a painting style in 19th century France where artists would surround themselves in nature and paint what they saw.

Mullis said the Worcester County Arts Council brought the plein air movement to Berlin a decade ago after hearing of the event’s success in Ocean City in Snow Hill.

Typically, around 40 artists, both local and regional, participate each year, Mullis said.

They are permitted to paint anywhere within five miles of the Worcester County Arts Council facility.

“Some artists prefer to focus on landscape,” Mullis said. “Some artists paint on location where there is a lot going on.”

Assateague Island, Ayers Creek and the Rackliffe House were among the more remote painting locations added in recent years, according to Mullis.

Spectators are welcome to observe the artists as they create in their element.

“A lot of visitors stop by and ask questions. Some of them have never seen anything like that,” Mullis said.

For Mullis, she said Berlin’s plein air event could also be a teaching moment for art novices.

“Each year, I see something different and I learn something new from [the] artists who participate,” Mullis said.

Mullis said artists may create as many paintings as time allows, but they can only submit two for the judged competition.

Additionally, artists can compete in a quick draw session on Sept. 20, when they will have to turn in a framed painting in two hours.

The paintings are due on Sept. 21. The event will culminate with a “Wet Paint” exhibition from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Awards will be presented at noon.

Last year, Brad Ross, of Easton, Maryland, won first place and a $1,000 cash prize for “St. Paul’s” oil painting. Linda Davison Mathues, of East Quogue, New York, was awarded second place and a $500 cash prize for her pastel, “Assateague.” Debra Howard, of Crisfield, Maryland, received $250 for her third place oil painting entitled, “The Line for the Beer Truck”.

For those who might not be able to attend the reception, the art will be on display during October in the gallery at the Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library on 13 Harrison Ave. in Berlin.

Visit the Worcester County Art Council’s website, worcestercountyartscouncil.org, for more information.