ABOUT THE EVENT
The Queen City Plein Air Festival is a biennial Plein Air event hosted in the heart of the beautiful Sheanadoah Valley. The 3rd Biennial Festival is hosted by the Beverley Street Studio School, a non-profit art education facility in Historic Staunton, VA. For the first time, the QCPAF will be a juried event as it continues to grow in size and popularity. Juried artists will compete for over $3,500 in cash, and several gifts and prizes. Artists will paint for three and one half days at exclusive locations around Augusta County, have multiple opportunities to show and sell their work, as well as have the option of participating in several events designed to promote the participating artists to the local community and collectors.
Important dates, deadlines and event schedule
- Entry deadline: Jan 22, 2020
- Acceptance notice: February 1, 2020
- Registration Dues Received: March 15, 2020
- Artist Arrival & Host Home Check-In: April 14, 2020
- Opening Reception: April 14, 2020
- Official Paint Out: April 15-18, 2020
- Turn In Paintings: 1:30pm, Saturday April 18, 2020
- Exhibition Preview Reception: 5:00 pm, Saturday April 18, 2020
- Presentation of Exhibition Awards: Saturday, May 9, 2020 – 5:30 pm
- Exhibition open to public: Saturday, April 18, 2020 6:00pm – 8:30pm
- Exhibition continues: Sunday, April 19 2020 – 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Exhibition ends – pick up unsold work: Sunday, April 19 – 12:00 pm
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Entrant must be at least 18 years of age
- There will be no refund of jury fee if disqualified for non-payment of dues by deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS.
JURY FEE:
To be considered for participation in this 5-day event, artists may submit 3 images representative of their best plein air work and pay a non-refundable $25 jury fee. Applications are processed through www.onlinejuriedshows.com
THE JURY PANEL
A panel of three (3) will blind jury the applications. Acceptance to QCPAF is based on the overall quality of work submitted. Event participation will not exceed 27 with a “stand-by” list of 5 in the event of artist cancellations. The decision of jurors is both nonnegotiable and final.
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE:
Artist will receive notification of determination by email. Accepted entrants will receive an additional mailed letter with registration instructions, lodging request, and other pertinent information. Submission of application and, later, entry fee constitute agreement with all conditions set forth in this prospectus.
ABOUT BSSS AND THE EVENT
Located in the historic district of downtown Staunton, Virginia, Beverley Street Studio School (BSSS) has adopted as its mission “providing the community and region with a variety of opportunities to explore the world of the visual arts through practice, professional instruction, and contact with practicing artists”.
Founded in 1992, Beverley Street Studio School (BSSS) began with a group of five professional artists who sought to establish a studio art school that would provide an opportunity for those in the region to engage in art training in a collaborative and nurturing fashion. The emphasis in instruction is working from direct observation, whether in a plein air setting or within the studio classrooms. It is now an established organization and integral part of the local and regional cultural community. The School distinguishes itself from other art organizations in the region by offering year round non-degree college-level art classes to the serious art student. In addition to the core curriculum and as part of the School’s mission to make art accessible to everyone in the community, BSSS offers: an art gallery with rotating exhibits by guest artists, instructors and students; several offsite exhibit opportunities; a high quality Travel Study program; Open Session figure drawing; and numerous free community programs including monitored art discussions, lectures, and peer critiques.
BSSS is a non-profit organization led by a Board of Directors, Executive Director, and Administrative Assistant with assistance from many volunteers. It is supported in part by the Virginia Commission of the Arts and the National Endowment for The Arts. There are over 250 members, 50 volunteers, and approximately 120 active students.
JUROR OF QUICK DRAW ART COMPETITION:
George Van Hook
JUROR OF AWARDS:
Peter Van Dyck
QCPA 2020 PARTICIPATION RULES:
- There will be no exceptions to deadlines, specifications or rules.
- Participants must abide by rules of the event as outlined in prospectus
- Participants must participate in event activities as listed in event itinerary (distributed at orientation)
- Participants must attend welcome reception and fresh paint sale.
- Participants must bring a previously completed plein air work to display with their bio for the opening reception on April 14th (may be a for sale or NFS work)
- Paintings must have event stamp and be created during the official painting period of April 15-18, 2020 to be eligible for awards.
- Paintings must be for sale.
- Sales split: 40% to BSSS and 60% to the artist.
- Minimum size: No Side smaller than 8” excluding frame. No Exceptions
- Maximum size: No side may exceed 36 inches, including frame. No exceptions.
- All work must be in gallery quality frames “wired” (no saw-tooth hangers) and ready for hanging. No exceptions.
- Pick up of unsold work by the artist or artist’s agent April 19, 2020
HIGHLIGHTS OF EVENT:
- $3,500+ in cash prizes and multiple other awards
- Access to private farms and locations around Augusta County, VA
- Optional Quick Draw Competition with $1,200+ in cash prizes
- Option to paint in exclusive Historic Garden Week tour sites (placing you and your art in front of over 1,000 patrons of the Garden Tour)
- 5 opportunities to sell your art
- Artist evening “get-togethers” with community members, art collectors, etc.
- Artists beyond a 40 mile radius of the Event will be provided with host housing upon request. For those who wish to pay for their own lodging, a list of local accommodations that provide a discount to participants will be provided.
RESPONSIBILITY, COMMITMENT, AND LIABILITY OF THE ARTIST
By entering the event, you agree that you have read and will abide by all rules outlined in this prospectus, particularly item #5 in above Rules. Work cannot be removed from exhibition panels until sold or when show ends. Anyone removing work prior to end of exhibition will be disqualified from next 2 QCPA events. (Exception: Should a situation arise that makes it necessary that a participant cannot remain until end of exhibition, (1) event committee must immediately be notified and (2) arrangements must be made for unsold work to be picked up at close of exhibition.
Beverley Street Studio School is not responsible for the loss or damage of any artwork, for any reason, no matter what the cause. By submitting artwork to this event, you understand and agree with this statement. Insurance for any loss or damage to artwork is the sole responsibility of the participating artist. The artist also agrees to handle the removal of unsold work as set forth in the prospectus.
CONTACT US
- For general information about the Beverley Street Studio School, please visit: www.BSSSchool.org
- For specific questions about Queen City Plein Air Festival and the Prospectus, contact:
Jillian Sanders director@bssschool.org