Artists Paint OC Festival
Schedule
Wed, 12 Aug, 2026 at 09:00 am to Sun, 16 Aug, 2026 at 04:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
502 94th St (Bayside), Ocean City, MD, United States, Maryland 21842 | Ocean City, MD
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Artists Paint OC 2026Save the date for our 21st Artists Paint OC August 12th-16th, 2026!
The Art League of Ocean City invites everyone to experience Ocean City through outdoor painting during Artists Paint OC: Plein Air (French for "in the open air") Festival, August 12–16, 2026. Fifty-plus artists from the Mid Atlantic region will paint throughout Ocean City and its surrounding areas—from sunny beaches and boardwalk spectacles to maritime scenes and the expansive agricultural vistas of the Eastern Shore.
The festival concludes with an outdoor gallery and sale of all the original art created during the festival, with cash prize awards totaling over $9,000.
Locals and visitors can observe artists at work across town each day of the festival, view the finished works, and shop original art inspired by our beloved region at the Wet Paint Sales:
Saturday, August 15th from 5-7pm
Sunday, August 16th from 1-3pm
Live music and complimentary refreshments enhance the shopping experience at the outdoor gallery, which captures Ocean City’s spectacular sunrises, sunsets, moonlit waters, and energy.
Juror: Kevin Fitzgerald
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2026 Artist Registration
This limited competition is open to just 50 artists (18+), so early registration is encouraged. Participants will display and sell their work at our Wet Paint Sale, with the opportunity to win over $6,000 in awards, including a $2,500 First Place prize and the $1,000 Spirit of OC Award, along with several specialty awards celebrating light, maritime scenes, nocturnes, and more.
Artists are also invited to participate in the Quick Paint Competition on August 16, where painters create works against the clock in downtown Ocean City before returning to the Arts Center for judging and a public art sale.
The event will be juried by acclaimed painter Kevin Fitzgerald, whose work has been exhibited and collected internationally.
Registration is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
$50 – Art League Members
$65 – Non-Members
Registration includes participation in the Artists Paint OC event and the Quick Paint Competition.
CLICK HERE FOR 2026 PROSPECTUS: https://artleagueofoceancity.org/app/uploads/2026/03/2026-Plein-Air-Prospectus-and-Registration-form.pdf
Registration is currently full. Click Here for the Waitlist: https://canvas.artleagueofoceancity.org/classes/3013
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Quick Paint
Paint against the clock in downtown Ocean City for your chance at $650 total prizes sponsored by the OCDC - Ocean City Development Corporation!
Date:
August 16, 9am-11am
Location:
Downtown Ocean City (painting) and OC Center for the Arts (sale)
Awards:
1st Place - $300
2nd Place - $200
3rd Place - $100
1 Honorable Mention - $50
Click Here to Register! https://canvas.artleagueofoceancity.org/classes/3054
(NOTE: Artists registered for the full Plein Air event are automatically signed up for the Quick Paint and do not need to sign up separately).
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Where is it happening?
502 94th St (Bayside), Ocean City, MD, United States, Maryland 21842Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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