By Greg Ellison

(Sept. 16, 2021) Worcester County will be invaded by a wealth of creative types for the plein air event, “Paint Worcester County,” which runs from Sept. 20-24.

The Worcester County Arts Council is sponsoring the artistic competition, which is a reimagined version of its “Paint Berlin,” shindigs.

Worcester County Arts Council Board member Nancy Howard said 42 artists are registered to participate from Sunday, Sept. 20 through Thursday, Sept. 23, with a “wet paint,” sale and exhibit held on Sept.24 at the Berlin Library.

“This is a first because we’re including the entire county,” she said.

Howard said, unlike past events limited to the boundaries of Berlin, the upcoming plein air opens any county locale for artistic interpretation.

“It will give other areas of the county a chance to shine,” she said.

Submitted entries will be reviewed with guest judge, and local artist, Lynne Lockhart choosing winning selections.

The Paint Worcester County competition offers $2,250 in total cash prizes including Maryland Legislators’ Award and Worcester County Commissioners’ Award.

“People love to watch artists paint,” she said.

Howard said the painting competition is not dissimilar to sports events.

“People show up at end to see who’s going to win,” she said.

Howard said art aficionados could purchase “fresh off the easel,” pieces and meet the associated artist during the  sale and exhibit at the Berlin Library on Sept. 24 from 1:30-4 p.m.

Sourcing natural scenes outside of a studio setting is the aim of the plein air approach.

“They did it back in the 1800s,” she said. “That’s what created the impressionist movement,” she said.

For more information, call 410-641-0809 or visit www.worcestercountyartscouncil.org.