All'Aperto Quick Draw at L'Italia Festival 2026
About this Event
All'Aperto Quick Draw
co-hosted by the Mount Gretna School of Art
Artists are invited to Lititz Spring Park on September 19th, 2026 to participate in a juried 'quick draw' event. Registration is $25 and open to all members of the public of all ages and experience levels.
Artists are free to use any 2-dimensional medium to depict their chosen subject(s) and may submit up to three separate works to the jury. The key stipulation is that all work be produced from direct on-site observation "En Plein Air" within the given timeframe.
PRIZES
awarded by event juror, Michael Allen:
- Best in Show: $1000
- First place: $750
- Second Place: $500
- Third Place: $250
- Notable Drawing Prize: $250
- Honorable Mention(s): ~$50 value
awarded by L'Italia Festival:
- Spirit of L'Italia Prize: $150
REGULATIONS
Artists are invited to create 2-dimensional artwork(s) using any base material (e.g. canvas, board, paper) and any medium (e.g. oils, acrylics, watercolors, graphite, ink, charcoal). Each work must be completed within a 2-hour window during L'Italia Festival "En Plein Air" from direct on-site observation. Artists are expected to work by hand, without digital means.
All artists who register in the 'ages 18+' category will be eligible for cash prizes. There will be other awards and giveaways to recognize talent in the '13 to 17-year-old' category. Children, ages 6-12, are invited to participate in Quick Draw Art Workshops at 10:00 and 12:00, led by The Demuth Foundation.
All Artwork will be made available for purchase at the price chosen by the Artist. Each Artist is responsible for matting and packaging their own work to facilitate hanging on display walls. A 30% commission will be collected to benefit the Keystone Events Project, a 501(c)3 organization based in Lititz, PA. The PA Sales Tax of 6% will be added to all sales.
The Keystone Events Project may use images from this event for promotional purposes in print and digital media. However, Artists retain the exclusive right to sell prints of any work they produce.
Please note: This information is subject to change. We will do our best to inform applicants of any changes.
Agenda
🕑: 09:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Artist Check-In
Info: Artist check-in at the Quick Draw booth located in the courtyard at Linden Hall. This is where blank canvases will be stamped.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Quick Draw Active Hours
Info: Artists are free to draw/paint for up to 2-hours per work in the location(s) of their choosing
🕑: 02:00 PM
Submission Deadline
Info: Each work must be delivered to the Quick Draw stand within 2-hrs of being stamped (and no later than 2:00pm) for display and judging. Artist will be allotted up to 30 minutes to frame pieces after submission.
🕑: 03:30 PM
Awards Ceremony
Info: Prize winners will be announced on the Main Stage. Artists are dismissed.
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Art on Display @ L'Italia Festival
Info: All works to remain on display until the end of L'Italia Festival.
🕑: 05:00 PM
End of L'Italia Festival
Info: At 5:00pm, all artwork will be carefully transported to the Log Cabin Restaurant to be displayed at L'Italia Gala on Sunday 9/20. If any artwork remains unsold by the end of L'Italia Gala, it will be made available for pickup in Lititz from Monday thru Saturday of the following week.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 55.20
