Everything You Need to Know

Each July, bucolic Talbot County transforms into a living canvas for one of the nation’s premier outdoor art festivals: Plein Air Easton. For ten vibrant days, artists, collectors, and visitors come together to celebrate creativity in real time—watching masterpieces emerge brushstroke by brushstroke across Talbot County’s landscapes, streets, and waterfronts.

Here’s your guide to experiencing the full arc of this unforgettable festival.

July 10–19 – Plein Air Easton Headquarters

There is always something new to see at Plein Air Easton Headquarters! Located at the Waterfowl Building, this dynamic exhibition and sale features up to eight paintings per artist, with fresh work added throughout the week as pieces are sold. Browse the evolving gallery, enjoy free professional art demonstrations on stage, and discover your next favorite piece.

Plan Your Visit: Open daily beginning July 10 at 10 AM (40 S. Harrison Street, Easton). Headquarters will close on Thursday afternoon, July 16, to prepare for the evening's Collectors' Preview Party.

July 10 – Kickoff Celebration: Art Takes Over Downtown

The festival begins with an energetic, community-wide celebration in downtown Easton. A highlight of the evening is the Community Paint-Out, featuring a giant collaborative paint-by-numbers led by acclaimed artist Maggii Sarfaty—an open invitation for everyone to pick up a brush and contribute.

Live music by Danah Denice sets the tone as visitors enjoy a lively Gallery Walk filled with artist meet-and-greets, special exhibits, and refreshments. Local shops join in with special promotions, adding to the festive, town-wide atmosphere.

As the evening unfolds, the celebration continues at the historic Avalon Theatre with Groove/Factory’s production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Written by Steve Martin, the play imagines a humorous and thought-provoking meeting between Pablo Picasso and Albert Einstein—a perfect theatrical companion to a day centered on creativity.

As night falls, artists of all levels gather for the Nocturne Paint-Out along Harrison Street, painting under the stars in a relaxed, collaborative atmosphere.

July 11 – Meet the Artists Party at Cedar Point Farm

One of the festival’s most beloved traditions, the Meet the Artists Party takes place at the breathtaking Cedar Point Farm, a historic Eastern Shore estate. Guests wander the grounds as artists paint en plein air, capturing sweeping waterfront views and lush landscapes in real time.

Freshly completed works—often still wet—are displayed for immediate purchase, offering a rare chance to take home art created just moments before. With live music, cocktails, and a stunning natural setting, the evening blends elegance with artistic spontaneity.

The night continues back in Easton with another performance of Picasso at the Lapin Agile, reinforcing the festival’s seamless blend of visual and performing arts.

July 12 – Paint Oxford Day

Just a short trip from Easton, Oxford offers a picture-perfect setting for a full day of painting. Surrounded by water and rich in colonial history, the town becomes an open-air studio as artists capture its charm. Visitors can watch demonstrations, meet artists, and enjoy activities centered around the Oxford Community Center and Sandaway Suites & Beach.

Don't miss a stop at the beloved Scottish Highland Creamery while exploring one of Maryland’s most charming waterfront towns.

July 13 – Paint Tilghman

On Tilghman Island, the pace slows and the scenery shifts to working waterfronts and Chesapeake Bay vistas. Throughout the day, artists spread out across marinas, backroads, and shorelines to capture the essence of this historic watermen’s community.

That evening, artists bring their still-wet masterpieces to the Tilghman Island Volunteer Fire Hall for an exciting pop-up exhibition and sale, giving collectors a chance to purchase paintings created just hours earlier.

July 14 – Paint-In at Headquarters

Back in Easton, Plein Air Easton Headquarters becomes a hub of artistic exploration. Visitors can watch live demonstrations, browse newly completed works, and experience a special Paint-In featuring costumed models for figure studies.

It’s an intimate look at the discipline behind the art—where technique, observation, and creativity intersect.

July 9-18 – Art Meets Conservation: Forever the Forest

Plein Air Easton partners with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy to celebrate alumni artists and the protected landscapes that inspire their work. The Forever the Forest exhibition showcases paintings inspired by conserved forests and natural areas throughout the region, highlighting the beauty and importance of land conservation on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

July 16-19 – Exhibitions, Awards & Grand Finale

The final days of the festival are packed with exhibitions, demonstrations, and special events:

• The Local Color Exhibition at Christ Church showcases regional artists and emerging talent.
• The Competition Gallery at the Academy Art Museum features the finest work from this year's juried competition painters.
• The Collectors' Preview Party on Thursday evening offers the first opportunity to view and purchase competition paintings before awards are announced.
• Daily artist demonstrations provide insight into professional painting techniques.
• Family-friendly Next Generation Art Stations invite young artists to explore their creativity.
• The high-energy Quick Draw Competition brings artists into the streets as they race against the clock to create and sell fresh paintings.

The festival culminates on Sunday, July 19, with awards presentations, Small Painting Sunday, and a final opportunity to view—and purchase—extraordinary works before they disappear into private collections.

Why Plein Air Easton Matters

What sets Plein Air Easton apart isn’t just the caliber of its artists—it’s the immersive experience. Here, art isn’t confined to gallery walls. It happens everywhere: on sidewalks, along rivers, under tents, and beneath twilight skies.

From the first brushstroke on July 10 to the final sale on July 19, the festival invites you to slow down, look closer, and engage with creativity in its most immediate form.

Spend the day, stay for the weekend, and discover why Plein Air Easton is more than an event—it’s a celebration of art, community, and the enduring beauty of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.