PLEIN AIR
CHAMBERSBURG
2025
September 6th
7:30-8:30 Registration
8:30-12:30 Competition
12:30-1:30 Lunch & Prep
1:30-2:30 Judging at Chambers Fort Park
2:30-3:30 Award Ceremony, Reception, Exhibit & Sale
Schedule: (more info below)
Our judge this year is
Brienne Brown
of State College, Pennsylvania
Brienne M Brown, NWS
Bringing the Everyday to Life
Much to her mother’s indignation, Brienne owned little clothing that was not covered in paint. From a very young age, Brienne showed talent in art and music, but wanted to pursue a career in the sciences. She started her education at the University of Utah as a double major (Art and Chemistry), eventually receiving a BS in Chemistry and finishing with a Master’s degree in 2004. After graduation, Brienne worked in a Toxicology lab. Though she painted some by taking an occasional class, as the years wore on, she realized she wanted more art in her life than a career in science would allow. She was surprised and delighted to find great fulfillment in painting. In fact, it became a necessity.
After leaving her job as a toxicologist to raise her first child in 2008, Brienne had the opportunity to paint more consistently. Prioritizing painting and taking workshops from artists she admired paid off. Soon she was not only exhibiting and entering shows regularly, but also winning awards. Brienne holds signature membership status for the National Watercolor Society, American Impressionist Society, Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, and Utah Watercolor Society. Her work has been published in Splash 17 Best of Watercolor: Inspired Subjects, PleinAir Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine, International Artist Magazine and Watercolor Artist Magazine.
Brienne’s passion is watercolor and plein air painting. She also enjoys oil painting in her studio to create larger works. Every year, she participates in several national juried and invitation plein air events across the country. She has won many top awards in many plein air competitions. Brienne is a popular instructor and teaches workshops in-person and online. She has also been invited to judge watercolor and plein air art shows.
“I find beauty in everyday life, the so called ‘mundane’. Ordinary people going about their everyday lives inspire me. I especially enjoy painting en plein air, where each painting reminds me of where I was, of the experiences I had, the sounds, smells, and the people I met. As I try and capture the essence of a scene, my paintings are always more about a moment in time than about a particular location. I enjoy sharing how I see the world.”
Painting at
Plein Air Chambersburg.
September 9, 2023 was an exciting day in downtown Chambersburg.
After months of planning the first Plein Air Chambersburg event dawned with beautiful light fluffy clouds.
46 artists from throughout our region arrived downtown early in the morning ready to paint.
We greeted them in Founding Fathers Park with coffee, maps and a grab-and-go breakfast.
Soon they were set up and working at sites all throughout the 4 block area surrounding the Square.
Downtown Chambersburg is unique in having an amazing variety of unusual and dynamic sites to paint, from our streams, waterfall and waterwheel; to the Farmer’s Market and attractive storefronts, the central Square with historic courthouse, fountain, Central Presbyterian church’s tall steeple and the 2 stately banks that now house the Franklin County Visitor’s Bureau and Heritage Center; a shady historic cemetery at Falling Springs Church and even a Japanese Garden, housed at the Old Jail.
We are looking forward to seeing you this year
on September 6th 2025
Video by
The Painters.
2024.
2023.
FAQs
General Information
All artists 14 and up are eligible to register for the Plein Air Chambersburg Quick Draw Competition and Exhibit. Application constitutes agreement that images may be used for web and print promotional purposes.
Quick Draw Event
Applicants must register with the Foundry Art Market and pay the registration fee in person or click on the registration button above. Event will be held rain or shine; no refunds will be made due to inclement weather, but indoor subjects will be available.
First 20 to register & attend will receive a free Foundry Artist’s Apron.
Artists should plan to bring their own easel and all equipment needed. Artists are welcome to explore the area and plan their work in advance, but must begin with blank canvas/paper, stamped at check-in. Artists will have 4 hours to create their plein air art piece/s and return to the registration area with their work and their easel, and one hour to prepare for display and judging.
Plein Air Definition
All artwork must be completed “en Plein Air,” meaning in the open air, working directly from the landscape or scene as it appears at that moment, without the aid of photographs during painting or more than a few marks afterwards. In case of inclement weather, indoor painting areas and subjects will be provided.
Surface Stamping
Artists must have all surfaces stamped prior to using them in the competition. At the time of stamping, the surfaces must be blank or primed with a single color. All artwork submitted to the Quick Draw Competition and Exhibit must bear the “Plein Air Chambersburg” ink stamp on the reverse in plain view at the time of acceptance. Volunteers will be available to stamp surfaces at the registration table.
Media
Any medium used to create 2-dimensional art such as oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastel, colored pencil, graphite, charcoal or collage are permissible. No photography or digital art. Other 2-D materials and mediums may be acceptable with permission of the Plein Air Chambersburg Planning Committee.
Subject Matter
Subject Matter is anything observed while standing within the Plein Air Chambersburg Quick Draw Area, as designated on the attached map. Artists may work inside a provided list of businesses in case of inclement weather using, still life and floral subjects provided by Plein Air Chambersburg or 3-D objects brought by the artist.
New to
Plein Air
Festivals?
Early bird registration through August 25th
Adults - $35
Teens (14-18) - $5
Registration fee August 26-September 6
Adults - $40
Teens (14-18) - $10
Fees are non-refundable, and include a lunch voucher and grab-and-go breakfast.
Saturday September 6th
7:30-8:30
Sign-in, surface stamping and same-day registration at Chambers Fort Park, located beside 33 North Main Street, Chambersburg.
(Rainsite: Council for the Arts, 103 North Main Street)
8:30-12:30
Quick Draw Competition, with artists painting within 2 blocks of Chambers Fort Park: map provided. Artists return to Chambers Fort Park by 12:30 with completed artwork and easel for judging and display.
12:30-1:30
Lunch and prep time: artists bring work and easel for display to Chambers Fort Park. Artwork must be finished and ready for hanging! Artwork must be labeled with the tag provided at check-in
(Rain site, workspace, restrooms available at the Foundry 54 LWW).
1:30-2:30
Judging at Chambers Fort Park.
(Rain site: TBA)
2:30-3:30
Award Ceremony, Reception, Exhibit and Sale at Chambers Fort Park.
(Rain site: TBA)
Disclaimer
None of the involved groups (Downtown Chambersburg, Inc., the Foundry Art Market, Plein Air Chambersburg, Franklin County Art Alliance, Franklin County Historical Society, Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring and Tower at Falling Spring) are responsible for personal injury and illness or damage/loss/theft of artwork that may happen during this event. Artists must provide their own insurance if desired. In addition, artists are responsible for their personal safety during the event. Artists under 18 should be accompanied by a parent or teacher. Registering for the event constitutes the artist’s agreement with all rules and statements made here.
NO RAINDATE
If inclement weather:
Site TBA
(Call 717-816-7568 if weather is questionable)
Sale of Artwork
Plein Air Chambersburg encourages all artists to offer their work for sale. A 30% commission will benefit the Foundry Art Market, through its parent organization Downtown Chambersburg, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Artists will receive 70% of the amount paid for their artwork. The Foundry is responsible for payment of PA sales tax.
Awards
Adult Student
1st $500 1st $25 gift card
2nd $200 2nd $25 gift card
3rd $100 3rd $25 gift card
4th & 5th $50 4th $25 gift card
The Chambersburg Plein Air Committee
is not eligible for awards.
This project is supported by:
Support the Arts & our downtown in Chambersburg by becoming a sponsor of this yearly event