The 22nd annual Plein Air Easton concluded another remarkable year, bringing together world-class artists, passionate collectors, dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors, and thousands of visitors for ten days celebrating art, community, and the landscapes of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. From misty mornings and passing summer storms to glowing sunsets over Talbot County, the festival once again transformed the region into an open-air studio while reinforcing its reputation as the nation’s largest and most prestigious juried plein air competition.
The festival officially began on July 9 as 58 juried artists gathered in Easton to have their blank canvases stamped before setting out across Talbot County. Over the following week, they painted waterfronts, farms, historic towns, and quiet country roads entirely on location, capturing the beauty and character of the Eastern Shore on canvas.
Festivities kicked off on July 10 as Downtown Easton welcomed visitors for the annual Community Paint-Out and the popular Shop to Win raffle. As dusk settled over Easton, artists filled the streets for the annual Nocturne Paint-Out, creating luminous scenes beneath the evening sky.
Throughout the week, artists and visitors explored some of Talbot County’s most picturesque communities. The Meet the Artists Party at Cedar Point Farm welcomed Friends of Plein Air Easton members and sponsors for an evening of painting, music, dining, and the opportunity to purchase freshly completed works as they came off the easel. The following day in Oxford, juried artists painted throughout the town before exhibiting their work at the Oxford Community Center that evening, where James Sampsel received the Oxford Artist’s Choice Award. On Tilghman Island, juried artists once again captured the island’s distinctive maritime character during the day, with Danny Robbins earning the Tilghman Artist’s Choice Award, sponsored by the Tilghman Watermen’s Museum and an evening exhibition and reception at the Tilghman Fire Hall..
Festival Headquarters also opened during the week, offering visitors the opportunity to view and purchase an ever-changing collection of original plein air paintings created throughout the competition. The exhibition became a daily destination for collectors and art lovers eager to follow the artists’ progress as new work arrived each day.
The competition culminated on July 16 and 17 as artists submitted their finest paintings for judging. This year’s competition was judged by Dr. Mary Morton, Head of the Department of French Paintings at the National Gallery of Art, who carefully evaluated the exceptional body of work created during the festival.
The excitement accelerated at the sold-out Collectors’ Preview Party, where enthusiastic collectors enjoyed the first opportunity to acquire this year’s competition paintings. Before the evening’s main awards were presented, Plein Air Easton proudly honored its long-standing partnership with the Waterfowl Festival with an induction into the Hall of Fame. The night celebrated not only artistic excellence, but also the vibrant community and trusted partnerships that have helped the festival flourish for more than two decades.
“Plein Air Easton continues to demonstrate what makes this community so special,” said Al Bond, Executive Director of the Avalon Foundation. “From the extraordinary talent of the artists to the generosity of our sponsors, volunteers, host families, and patrons, this festival is made possible by people who believe in the power of art to bring communities together. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s event an outstanding success. “
At the famous Quick Draw competition, any artist with $10 and the ambition to complete a painting in two hours or less was encouraged to participate. Nearly 200 artists showcased their work at the curbside exhibition. Before Dr. Morton presented the awards, Al Bond took a moment to recognize Ted Mueller for his generous contributions and years of volunteer service photographically documenting Plein Air Easton. Quick Draw Prizes were then awarded to:
First Place: James Sampsel (Awarded a cash prize, a custom Walnut Art Easel, and an invitation to return as a juried competition artist for Plein Air Easton 2027)
Second Place: Zufar Bikbov
Third Place: Anette Power
While the Quick Draw competition gives every participant an equal shot at the top prizes, Plein Air Easton also presents three dedicated awards to recognize exceptional work by non-juried artists. This year’s Non-Juried Artist Awards went to:
First Place: Yik Check Phan
Second Place: Doug Clarke
Third Place: Penv Planner
The festival concluded on Small Painting Sunday, where the final awards were presented and the community paused to honor the life and legacy of Suzan Brice with a posthumous induction into the Hall of Fame. As collectors carried home their newly acquired paintings, Plein Air Easton once again showcased not only extraordinary artistic talent but also the warmth, hospitality, and creative spirit that define Talbot County. The Avalon Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to the artists, sponsors, volunteers, host families, collectors, and thousands of visitors whose enthusiasm continues to make Plein Air Easton one of the country’s premier outdoor painting festivals.
The complete list of Awards given during the 22nd annual Plein Air Easton:
2026 Awards, Plein Air Easton
| Grand Prize: Timothy Dills Memorial Award Sponsored by Ellen Vatne + feature in Modern Impressionist Magazine | $5,000 | Lyudmila Tomova Clark “Working Neighbors” |
| Artists’ Choice Sponsored by Hali Asplundh | $5,000 | Patrick Lee “Dear Easton” |
| 2nd Place Sponsored by the Academy Art Museum | $2,000 | Henry Coe “Farm on the Edge of Town” |
| 3rd Place Sponsored by September First Partners | $1,000 | Jill Banks “If Boats Could Talk” |
| The Doris and Bill Nielsen Memorial Award Sponsored by the Nielsen Family | $5,000 | Harsh Agrawal “Dissolving Light: |
| Life on the Farm Sponsored by the Talbot County Farm Bureau and Talbot County Extension Advisory Council | $1,000 | John T. Eiseman “Barnyard Tails” |
| Life of a Waterman Sponsored by Anonymous | $1,000 | Robert J. Simone “Morning Bightwork” |
| Best Marine Sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum | $1,000 | Olena Babak “Light and Reflections” |
| Best Architectural Sponsored by the Historical Society of Talbot County | $1,000 | Shelby Keefe “Morning Vigil” |
| Best New Artist to Plein Air Easton Sponsored by Wye Financial Partners | $1,000 | Deborah Lazar “A New Perspective from Emotional Mastery” |
| Best Nocturne Sponsored by Eric Timsak & Leslie Lobell | $1,000 | Daniel Robbins “Corridor” |
| Best Watercolor Sponsored by The Trippe Gallery | $500 | Richie Vios “Easton @ Night” |
| Best Use of Light Sponsored by Betty Huang at Studio B Gallery | $500 | Rhonda Ford “Inside Out” |
| The David Bellis Memorial Award (1 of 3) Sponsored by Margaret Wrightson | $500 | Scott W. Prior “If Trees Could Talk” |
| The David Bellis Memorial Award (2 of 3) Sponsored by Margaret Wrightson | $500 | Stewart White “The Silence of Silos” |
| The David Bellis Memorial Award (3 of 3) Sponsored by Margaret Wrightson | $500 | Joshua Hoffman “Roots #2” |
| Small Painting Sunday Sponsored by the Children of Suzan Brice
| |||
| First Place: Suzan Estelle Brice Memorial Award Sponsored by the Children of Suzan Brice | $1,000 | Alison Barry “Six AM” | |
| Second Place Sponsored by the Children of Suzan Brice | $750 | Orville Giguiento “Glow” | |
| Third Place Sponsored by the Children of Suzan Brice | $500 | Antwan Ramar “Colorful Neighbors” | |
| Honorable Mention (1 of 2) Sponsored by the Children of Suzan Brice | $100 | Nancy Tankersley “Easton Alley” | |
| Honorable Mention (2 of 2) Sponsored by the Children of Suzan Brice | $100 | Julio Suarez “Early Bird” | |
