SAVE THE DATE
August 13 – 17, 2025
Join us for the 20th annual Artists Paint OC, where artists bring the Ocean City area to life through plein air painting! Registration is currently full for this event – join our waitlist!
Artists will set up along the boardwalk, streets, harbors, bay, and marshes to capture the beauty of our coastal town. Registration includes participation in the full event and the Quick Paint competition. Limited to 50 artists, age 18 or older, on a first-come basis.
Registration Fee: $50 for Art League members | $65 for non-members (Non-refundable registration fee)
Public Reception & Art Sale: Saturday, August 16, 5-7 PM at the Arts Center (Juried entries will remain on display through September 2025).
Juror: Sara Linda Poly, originally from the Philadelphia area, studied at university in PA, VA, MD., and with local and national artists. Sara’s past experience includes illustration and design and work as assistant gallery director at the Art League Gallery, in Alexandria, VA., where she is now an instructor. Known for her sweeping skies and dramatic light in the landscape, she has been the winner of numerous awards and a participant in many regional and national shows.
Secure your spot today and be part of this vibrant plein air tradition!
Click Here to Join the Waitlist
Click Here for Competition Prospectus
Register for our Quick Paint Event
Sun. August 17th
Downtown Ocean City
$25 Members, $30 Non-Members
- 8-8:30 am – Artists check-in in front of Thrasher’s Fries on the boardwalk and get paper/canvas stamped. Onsite registration available.
- 9-11 am – Artists paint against the clock in the downtown area – from beach to bay and inlet to N. Division St.
- 11 am – Cease painting and return to the OC Center for the Arts to set up artwork for judging and sale.
- 12:30 pm – Judging of artwork.
- 1pm – 3 pm – Off-the-easel art sale, with live music and mimosa cash bar
Click Here to Register!
Winners from Artist Paint OC 2024
1st Place, Leo Kahl, “Seagulls, Salt, and Vinegar” — 2nd Place, Rhonda Ford, “Looking East” — 3rd Place, John Eiseman, “Beyond the Sycamores” — Honorable Mention, Eva Rotolo, “Crashing Wave” —Honorable Mention, Jessica Schlegel, “Sunrise under the Pier” — Honorable Mention, Jose Ramirez, “Painting in Plein Air”.
Spirit of Ocean City award (sponsored by OC Tourism ), Ricky Sears, “1st and the Boards” — Agribusiness Award (sponsored by Horizon Farm Credit), Leo Kahl, “Swan Song” — Best Hospitality (sponsored by Hotel Motel Restaurant Assn.), Dennis Young, “Happy Hour at the Wedge” — Best Maritime (sponsored by Ed & Emmy Challenger ), Scott Henderson, “Wooly Bully” — Best Nocturnal (sponsored by Rina Thaler in memory of Cheryl Taustin ), Jon Bandish, “Hilton OCMD” — Best Use of Light (sponsored by Working Artists Forum), Jim Rehak, “Eastern Shore Glow” — Ray Ewing Artists Choice Award (sponsored by Laura Jenkins), Ed Lewandowski.
Quick Paint Winners:
1st Place, $300: Dennis Young — 2nd Place, $200: Leo Kahl — 3rd Place, $100: Ronaldo Dorado — Honorable Mention, $50: Lissa Abrams
Kids Paint OC Plein Air 2025 Event
The 3rd annual Kids Paint OC event, held in conjunction with the annual Artists Paint OC Plein Air competition, will be a fun experience for everyone! Kids ages 6-9, 10-12, and 13-17 will have the opportunity to create artwork outdoors from July 1 – 31, 2025, anywhere in Ocean City, West OC, or Assateague Island. Cash prizes will be awarded for each age category.
More information coming soon.
2024 Kids Paint OC Winners:
Ages 6-9
1st Place: “Northside Park Bridge” by Austin Schisler
1st Place: “Untitled” by Luna Wierengo
2nd Place: “The Whale at the Boardwalk” by Shiloh Burung
3rd Place: “Sunset on the Marsh” by Rosemary Williams
Honorable Mention: “A Day at the Boardwalk” by Nora Ruch
Honorable Mention: “Sunset by the Bay” by Adeline Bae
Ages 10-12
1st Place: “A Day at the Park” by Owen Schisher
1st Place: “Sunset at Isle of Wight” by Mason Wharton
2nd Place: “OC Boardwalk” by Tobi Blaska
3rd place: “Hazy Beach Sunrise” by Michaella Anderson
Honorable Mention: “A Bright Day in Play” by Ellie Hall
Ages 13-17
1st Place: “66th St.” by Madison Guertler
2nd Place: “The Perfect Beach Day” by Glenna Barnes
3rd Place: “View from Harborside” by Sydney Parker
Honorable Mention: “The Boardwalk” by Faith Ford