Plein air competition

Blair Center for the Arts
Mary Martin Gallery
The First Annual
Charleston
Plein Air Competition

November 3–8, 2026 • Charleston, South Carolina
ENTRY OPEN NOW
Registration Fee
$95
Artist Limit
100 Artists
Eligibility
All Skill Levels
Deadline
October 25, 2026
JOIN NOW
Join artists from across the country for the First Annual Charleston Plein Air Competition, a six-day celebration of painting, creativity, and the timeless beauty of Charleston. Presented by the Blair Center for the Arts and Mary Martin Gallery, the competition welcomes professional, emerging, and amateur artists to paint throughout downtown Charleston and the historic peninsula. Artists will have the opportunity to compete for cash awards, exhibit and sell their work during First Friday ArtWalk weekend, connect with collectors and fellow artists, and experience one of America's most inspiring historic cities through plein air painting.
Charleston Plein Air Competition

Open to Artists of All Skill Levels

One Open Competition

Professional, emerging, and amateur artists are invited to compete together in one open competition celebrating plein air painting and the beauty of Charleston.

Accepted Media

Oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, pastel, and mixed media are accepted. All submitted artwork must be two-dimensional and created en plein air during the official competition period.

Cash Awards

A minimum of $3,000 in cash prizes is confirmed for First, Second, and Third Place, with the possibility of additional awards and prizes being added as the event approaches.

Competition Details

  • Registration is limited to the first 100 artists.
  • Artist check-in and stamping will take place Tuesday, November 3 from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM.
  • Artists may begin painting immediately after their materials have been officially stamped.
  • Oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, pastel, and mixed media are accepted.
  • All competition artwork must be created en plein air during the official competition period on materials stamped by the organizers.
  • Surfaces must be free of drawings, marks, or images prior to stamping. A solid base color is permitted.
  • Projection, tracing, transfer methods, or other means of transferring a pre-existing drawing or image onto a competition surface are not permitted.
  • There is no limit to the number of surfaces an artist may have stamped during the designated stamping period.
  • Artists may submit a maximum of two completed works for judging, exhibition, and sale.
  • The official competition stamp must remain visible on the finished artwork.
  • Artwork must be a minimum of 8" × 10" and may not exceed 16" × 20", measured unframed.
  • Gallery-wrapped canvases are acceptable.
  • All submitted artwork must be appropriately presented, wired, and ready to hang.
  • All submitted artwork must be available for sale.
  • A 30% gallery commission applies to artwork sold through the competition exhibition and sale.
  • Competition-related artwork sales, including sales arranged directly between an artist and buyer during the competition or exhibition period, must be reported to and processed through the gallery.

Event Schedule

Tuesday, November 3

9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Artist Check-In & Stamping

Official competition painting begins immediately after each artist's materials have been stamped.

Welcome Reception
Time to be announced

Wednesday, November 4

Plein Air Painting Throughout Charleston

Thursday, November 5

Plein Air Painting Throughout Charleston

Artwork Turn-In Deadline
5:00 PM

Friday, November 6

Exhibition Installation

Official Exhibition Opening
First Friday ArtWalk & Sale

Saturday, November 7

Public Exhibition & Sale

Judging & Awards Ceremony

Sunday, November 8

Final Exhibition & Sale

Artwork Pick-Up

Specific times for the Welcome Reception, First Friday opening, Awards Ceremony, and artwork pickup will be communicated to registered artists prior to the competition.

$3,000 in Cash Awards

$3,000
Confirmed Prize Pool — With the Possibility of More Awards to Come
First Place $1,500
Second Place $1,000
Third Place $500
And there may be more to come.

The $3,000 prize pool is currently confirmed. As additional sponsors and community partners join the event, we hope to add more cash awards, special prizes, and recognitions.

Additional awards and opportunities will be announced as they are confirmed.

Painting Throughout Historic Charleston

Artists may select their own appropriate painting locations within downtown Charleston and the historic peninsula. The locations below are offered as suggestions for inspiration and convenience. Artists are free to choose other locations within the designated competition area. Artists are responsible for selecting safe and lawful painting locations and for obtaining any permission required to paint on private property.
Rainbow Row
The Battery
White Point Garden
Waterfront Park & Pineapple Fountain
St. Michael's Church
Church Street
French Quarter District
Colonial Lake

Artist Registration

$95

  • Official competition participation
  • Open to professional, emerging, and amateur artists
  • Eligibility for all competition awards
  • Official surface stamping
  • No limit on the number of surfaces stamped during the designated stamping period
  • Up to two completed works may be submitted for judging, exhibition, and sale
  • Welcome Reception
  • First Friday ArtWalk exhibition opening
  • Public weekend exhibition and sale
  • Judging & Awards Ceremony
  • Professional event promotion and exposure

DOWNLOAD COMPETITION RULES


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