2023 plein air fest

Music, Art, and Food at the Park

Location: On the Open Green at Valdese Lakeside Park, 1149 Lake Rhodhiss Dr NE, Valdese, NC 28690

End your Sunday to music by local duo Lost Wages on the Open Green of Valdese Lakeside Park. Bring chairs and a picnic basket or purchase a snack from the food truck. Walk the park to see plein air artists in action. In addition, the story book trail will be changed out to display children's works of art from the Saturday Paint-Out. P.S. You may catch some of our plein air artists creating their masterpieces.

Tuesday, September 12th

Time: 7 a.m.

*Public Event (Open to Artists and the Public)* 

Coffee and Conversation on the Greenway

Location: Start at Parking Lot, Valdese Lakeside Park, 1149 Lake Rhodhiss Dr NE, Valdese, NC 28690

Friends of Valdese Rec will help you get an early start to your morning at 7 a.m. with a walk on The Greenway. Park at the Valdese Lakeside Park entrance, grab a cup of coffee and a sweet treat, and join us for a leisurely walk on The Greenway. We may see some early-bird artists catching a sunrise scene on their canvases!

Wednesday, September 13th

Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

*Artist Event - Artists Please Register in Advance when Checking In on Saturday*

Plein Air Demonstration by Lyudmila Tomova Clark

Location: Courtyard/Fountain of the Waldensian Presbyterian Church, 109 Main St E

Registered artists will have the opportunity to watch a plein air demonstration by internationally-recognized artist Lyudmila Tomova Clark. Her vibrant style has earned her prestigious awards in a variety of media.

Time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

*Public Event (Open to Artists and the Public)* 

Art Trivia Night at the Levee Brewery and Pub

Location: 118 Main St W, Valdese, NC 28690

The Levee Brewery and Pub in Valdese will host a special Art Trivia Night Wednesday evening, starting at 5 p.m. The public is invited to test their art knowledge with questions prepared by local artists.

Friday, September 15th

Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

*Artist Event, Required for Artists*

Artwork Check-In

Location: Old Rock School, Second Floor, East Entrance, 400 Main St W, Valdese, NC 28690

Artists bring their final works (some of them will still have wet paint!) to the Rock School, where they will be checked in, labeled, hung and prepared for the exhibition, reception, and awards ceremony on Saturday. Artists, please be sure to bring your completed art labels and gallery tags for each of your two pieces – (1) marked for judging; (1) marked for sale.

Saturday, September 16th

Time: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

*Public Event (Open to Artists and the Public)* 

Valdese Plein Air Fest Closing Reception, Award Ceremony, and Wet Paint Sale

Location: Old Rock School, Second Floor, 400 Main St W, Valdese, NC 28690

This is the big day! Be sure to purchase your reception tickets early for this 4 to 6 p.m. event at the Old Rock School. The evening features the work of the plein air artists, a wet paint sale, the awards for winning entries, live music by Denise Baxter Yoder and Suzanne Williams, peach Bellinis and a wonderful selection of hors d’oeuvres. This is a ticketed event and all attendees must purchase a ticket to be admitted. Your ticket is your entry for one of the fabulous door prizes, including hand-crafted local wine.