“Evanston Plein Air Festival” sponsored by Evanston Made presents.

Prospectus 2024

General Show Description: Celebrate ‘en plein air’ painting with this art loving community at the Evanston Plein Air Festival on Lake Michigan in July. Building on the success of last year’s festival introduction “Evanston Made presents” will sponsor its third Plein Air Art Exhibit and Sale across an expanded 9 days. With its Lakeshore, Northwestern University, heritage urban landscapes and gardens Evanston provides a rich and rewarding destination for participating artists. This juried event will follow the general conventions familiar to those participating in “Plein air “competitions.

More Competitions, Events and Prizes: This year we will offer options for competing professionals and participating amateurs.

• Best in show for the work which best demonstrates a mastery of the medium “en plein air” along with First Place Watercolor, First Place Oil/Acrylic and Second and Third Place and 2 Honorable mentions. First place Amateur.
• “People’s choice: Fest-Favorite” award based on popular vote during the festival final judging & showcase. 
• Daily (Monday-Friday) Paint Outs will also be judged and a First Place award chosen.

Best in Show Judge : Panel- Mark Cleveland, Thomas Trausch, Nina Weiss

Paint out Judges for 2024: TBA

All  events will be judged by a panel of Master Painters, experienced artists, and local sponsors. 

 Please note: By applying and participating in this event, you agree to allow images of you and your work to be used online and in promotional material. Event Sponsors, Evanston Made and the City of Evanston are not responsible for loss or damage to artwork. Sponsors reserve the right to reject any artwork that does not meet our expectations or conform to the norms of the community.

Entry Information: 

• Registration is required at Evanston Made EPAF24 Registration
• Find more information and to see specific updates at https://evanstonmade.org/evanston-plein-air-festival-2024

• All participants must apply online. All new entrants must submit 2 examples of their 2-dimensional work (like that which they may produce during this plein air event). Urban and natural scenes are suggested, please do not include Portraits, Abstracts or Still life. Deadline for Entries is June 1st.  Returning entrants need not submit work to apply, but we would like a submission to be used for promotional purposes.

 Painting/Drawing Rules 

Rules & Considerations :

• Paintings must be original works executed with pigments: acrylic, gouache, Oil, pastel, tempera, watercolor. No sketches, work in sketch books,  digital art or working from photographs are allowed for entry or for submission for judging during the event.
• Paintings are to be executed “en plein air,” from direct observation of any subject matter within the City of Evanston including the Baha’i area and Wilmette Harbor. 
• Ninety percent of each painting should be completed on‐site. 
• Artwork (unframed) should not exceed 24” in any direction. 
• Beginning  July 13th, artists must check-in and authenticate up to 5 blank work surface(s) at Blick Art Materials located 1755 Maple Avenue during business hours.
• Juried entry limited to 75 Artists
• Entry Fee: $ 45 (for fee assistance email: info@Evanstonmade.com)
• Table Fee: $ 20 should be submitted for artists choosing to participate in our Finale Art Market. (Tables will be provided and assigned for artists to sell their work during the Finale event on July 21st held at Rotary International)
• Only paintings with visible registration (on the back of the work surface) will be accepted for consideration in awards and for display. Artists with framed work for entry should be able to present evidence of stamp if requested.
• Painting may be conducted independently beginning on July 13th and ending on Sunday July 21st  at Noon. Artists may “sell directly from their easel” at this time. Displays, booths not allowed. 
• Entries submitted for judging during the festival: Paint Outs and Best of Show Competition must be offered for sale. All works sold will be processed through Shop Evanston Made, (30% Gallery Fee will be withheld) 
• Art not adhering to these rules and restrictions will not be considered for admission and hanging.

What is Plein Air? en Plein Air is “the practice of painting landscape pictures out-of-doors”. Plein air artists capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color, and movement into their works.

About Evanston: founded in 1857, Evanston is an historic college town situated on the North Shore along Lake Michigan lending itself to be the perfect place for plein air painters interested in capturing the urban and natural landscape. Just 12 miles north of Downtown Chicago, Evanston is home to Northwestern University and prominently features lakefront views, leisurely parks, iconic downtown blending turn of the century and modern architecture. Evanston Locations of note

About Evanston Made: (Membership is not required to participate) Evanston Made is a membership-based 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization in Evanston, IL. with a mission to connect artists and artisans to art enthusiasts and to provide community and professional development to our members to further their careers. Membership is open to artists, artisans, makers who make everything from art to clothes to music.  We also welcome members who are art lovers and patrons who want to help us conduct our mission. https://evanstonmade.org/