Professional artists from several Midwest states, including Illinois, Missouri, and Ohio, will converge on Fairfield for the 12h Annual Fairfield Paint Out. The 2023 event will be held September 26-20, with headquarters at the Floral Hall on the Wayne County Fairgrounds. The Paint Out is sponsored by Volunteers for a Progressive Fairfield.
The PaintOut is a “plein air” event, meaning all the artists work outdoors, regardless of weather. Twenty artists are expected and will be working with several types of media, including oils, watercolor, pastels, and pen and ink. They welcome spectators and will visit with those who watch them work and answer questions posed to them.
Popular activities of the event are the “Nocturne Paint” and the Quick Paint. The Nocturne Paint has the artists painting at night when lighting is a challenge, but the results are some of the most impressive works of the event. The residents of Fairfield will enjoy seeking out the artists during the Nocturne Paint to see what they are painting and visit with them. Artists will be completing their Nocturne paintings on Wednesday evening.
During the Quick Paint, a time limit of two hours is specified for completion of paintings. This activity is also well received by artists and community members alike. The Quick Paint will be held Thursday, September 28, at the Wayne County Saddle Club. Artists will be meeting the horses and cowpokes at the Saddle Club. The public is welcome to come view the paintings and visit with the artists at that time.
The Fairfield community has embraced this event, since its inception. The completed, ready-to-hang artwork is available for purchase at the Premier Exhibit held on Friday evening, September 29, at Floral Hall on the Wayne County fairgrounds.Purchase Award Sponsors are secured prior to the event. Purchase Award Sponsors make deposit to purchase a painting at the Premier Exhibit. For providing the upfront deposit, Purchase Award Sponsors have first options to purchase the works on exhibit.
All paintings on display are available for purchase by those who attend the Premier Exhibit. Sales of paintings of local sites and landmarks have skyrocketed, with locals purchasing paintings from the artists at the Premier Exhibit held on Friday evening. Supporters have purchased over $50,000 of professional artwork in the past three years. All funds from purchased artwork go to the artists.
According to the artists, they return to the Fairfield PaintOutyear after year, due to the community welcoming them and unique perks of the event. The Fairfield PaintOut has become an anticipated event each year. It is focused on the Fairfield community and Wayne County area.
The artists submit their works daily to be displayed. The public is welcome to view the exhibits any evening of the event. The Premier Exhibit is held on Friday evening, with an admission fee of $5 per person. Those who come to the Premier Exhibit are entered in a drawing for an original painting from well-known local artist, Spencer Meagher.
The full schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, 9/26
Artists arrive in Fairfield and begin painting
Wednesday, 9/27
Artists may paint anywhere in Wayne County
7:30 p.m.Nocturne Paint
Thursday, 9/28
Artists may paint anywhere in Wayne County
5:30-7:30 p.m.Quick Paint
Meet the Horses & Cowpokes- at Wayne County Saddle Club
Friday, 9/29
Artists paint anywhere
6-8 p.m.Premier Exhibit & Sales
Saturday, 9/30
Floral Hall closed until 11 am for judging
9-10 amYouth Chalk Art at Center Street School
12noon Awards Announced
For more information about the Fairfield Paint Out, you may find information at the Fairfield Paint Out Facebook page.