The Art Guild of Clifton is hosting the first annual Clifton Plein Air (outdoor) Painting Festival, rain or shine, Saturday-Sunday, June 22-23. That Saturday, concurrent with the Clifton Wine Festival, artists may set up anywhere in the corporate town limits, except for the Town Park, where the wine festival is being held.
The festival also includes an artist competition with cash prizes and awards, including a People’s Choice award where attendees may vote for their favorite pieces. It concludes with a silent auction which benefits The Art Guild of Clifton art programs; it’s open to everyone and gives people the chance to support the local arts programs and take home a unique piece of artwork.
The Clifton Plein Air Painting Festival is open to all levels of painters, including amateur, intermediate and top-level professionals. There are also two special teen categories (ages 13-15 and 16-18).
Check-in is at 10 a.m. outside the Clifton Wine Shop, 7145-C Main St., and painting runs from then until Sunday at 3 p.m. Judging will be done from 3:30-5 p.m. by Clifton artists Paul Hennesy and Palmer Smith. An awards ceremony and silent auction follow from 5-7 p.m. in the Clifton Town Meeting Hall, 12641 Chapel Road.
Sponsors are Sarah Pichardo with Potomac Mortgage-Fairfax; Fran Rauch, FR Designs; and the Clifton Wine Shop. For more information and registration, go to “Contact us” at www.ArtGuildofClifton.org or mail a registration form with payment to the Art Guild of Clifton, Clifton Plein Air Festival, P.O. Box 288, Clifton, VA 20124. Registration is $35.