Artists Paint OC

Save the date for our 21st Artists Paint OC August 12th-16th, 2026!

Experience the beauty of Ocean City through plein air painting during Artists Paint OC, a five-day celebration of art, creativity, and coastal inspiration. Artists will paint throughout Ocean City and the surrounding area, capturing everything from beaches and bays to maritime scenes and local life.

2026 Registration

This limited competition is open to just 50 artists (18+), so early registration is encouraged. Participants will display and sell their work at our Wet Paint Sale, with the opportunity to win over $6,000 in awards, including a $2,500 First Place prize and the $1,000 Spirit of OC Award, along with several specialty awards celebrating light, maritime scenes, nocturnes, and more.

Artists are also invited to participate in the Quick Paint Competition on August 16, where painters create works against the clock in downtown Ocean City before returning to the Arts Center for judging and a public art sale.

The event will be juried by acclaimed painter Kevin Fitzgerald, whose work has been exhibited and collected internationally.

Registration opens March 30, 2026 and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

• $50 – Art League Members

• $65 – Non-Members

Registration includes participation in the Artists Paint OC event and the Quick Paint Competition.

CLICK HERE FOR 2026 PROSPECTUS

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2025 Winners

1st Place $2500
Sponsored by PNC
– Ice Cream, Candy, and Tony Lukes by Fred Jackson

2nd Place $1,000
Sponsored by the Art League of OC
– Floating Above the Sea by David Simpson

3rd Place $500
Sponsored by Longboard Cafe
– Assateague Island By Rajendra KC

20th Anniversary Award $2,000
Sponsored by Emily Schwab
– West Side by Fred Jackson

Spirit of Ocean City Award $1,000

Sponsored by Ocean City, MD – Tourism
– Boardwalk OC by Rajendra KC

Best Use of Light $200
Sponsored by Betty Huang – Studio B Gallery
– Impression Morning Harbor by John Eiseman

Best Nocturnal $200
Sponsored by Ginny Outten
– The Night is Young by Vicki Zhou

Best Maritime $200
Sponsored by Ed & Emmy Challenger
– Happy to Be Home by John Schisler

Best Hospitality $200
Sponsored by OCHMRA
– Seacrets Beach by Dennis Young

Best Agriculture Longhorns $250
Sponsored by Farming Community of Worcester County
– Longhorns by Vicki Zhou

Honorable Mentions $150
Sponsored by Marian Bickerstaff, Berta Maginniss, and the Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters Assoc
– Summer Morning at the Inlet by Jose Ramirez
– 29th St Beach by Jim Rehak
– Mark Showell’s Farm by Judith Loeber

Judges Spotlight award
– Beach Vibes by Mary Veiga
– Float Your Boat by Stacey Sass
– Second Wind by John Eiseman
– Light Comes Through by Lori Yates

Click here to see all the artwork

Click here for the full history of our Artists Paint OC event

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Quick Paint Winners

2nd ($200) – Morning Walk – Vicky Zhou

3rd ($100) – Dumsers – Ann Crostic

HM ($50) – Inlet Sandpiper – Amber McCubbin

Judge: Kirk McBride

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Follow Us & Download Our App

• Facebook Page (Art League of Ocean City)
• Facebook Page (Artists Paint OC)
• Facebook Event
• Instagram – Use the Hashtag #artistspaintoc

Download the Art League of OC App!

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Kids Paint OC Plein Air 2025 Event