Cape Ann Plein Air (CAPA) is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated 7th Annual Festival and Sale, taking place October 8 -15. This week-long celebration of art will gather 37 nationally and internationally acclaimed outdoor painters who will capture the scenic beauty of Greater Cape Ann, Massachusetts, from rocky shores to tranquil salt marshes, historic homes, and magnificent shipyards. The culmination of this artistic extravaganza will be the Gala Awards and Sale Event.
Cape Ann Plein Air has established itself as a prestigious event that enriches the local arts scene, provides vital support to businesses in the area, and bolsters the creative economy across the greater North Shore region. A significant portion of the proceeds from the week will be directed towards Cape Ann Art Haven, a Gloucester-based nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering artistic talent. To learn more about Cape Ann Art Haven, please visit here.
This year’s Gala Awards ceremony promises to be a festival highlight at the Glen T MacLeod Cape Ann YMCA in Gloucester on Saturday, October 14th, from 5-9PM. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to view and acquire all 185 competition paintings, judged by the esteemed art collector Tim Newton, hailing from Cody, Wyoming. With his extensive experience in the plein-air art movement, Newton is the perfect choice for this role. The Gala will feature an innovative and elegant spread crafted by Vinwood Catering, with an open beer-and-wine bar included in the ticket price. Brian King and Joe Cordoza will provide entertainment with the “What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?” band.
The week’s schedule is brimming with public events designed to engage and inspire, including daily artists’ demonstrations, a fast-paced Quick Draw event that will bring an additional 100 painters for a two-hour paint-out on Columbus Day at Maritime Gloucester, Palate to Palette dinners featuring a CAPA artist painting at local restaurants, Meet the Artists night at the renowned Beauport Hotel, Nocturne Night on Bearskin Neck in Rockport showcasing CAPA artists creating paintings in the enchanting evening hours, and much more. You can explore the full event calendar here.
Cape Ann Plein Air is a significant contributor to the outdoor painting movement in the United States, celebrating the art form at its finest. Ranked among the country’s top 5 plein air events, CAPA awards over $20,000 in prize money to its participating artists. During the festival, each of the 37 artists will submit five paintings for general competition, one for the pop-up Sunday Small Painting event, and up to five additional paintings for sale during the weekend at the YMCA.
Susan Gould-Coviello, Executive Director of CAPA, expresses the excitement surrounding the event, stating, “There’s nothing as thrilling as CAPA week for artists and the public alike. Shorelines are dotted with artists capturing the best of what Cape Ann offers. These hard-working artists make their living painting outdoors, and their expertise shines in the work they produce during the week. To see these remarkable paintings displayed in one place is truly awe-inspiring.”
Returning CAPA artist Tim Kelly from Baltimore, MD, adds, “When it comes to plein air painting, Cape Ann’s historical pedigree is unsurpassed. I’m humbled and honored to be able to contribute to this legacy by participating in the Cape Ann Plein Air Festival.”
CAPA is made possible through the generous support of all five communities in the region, local business sponsors, grants, housing hosts, municipal collaboration, and partnerships with local arts organizations. This year, CAPA is proud to have received a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information about Cape Ann Plein Air, please contact:
[Susan Coviello at susan@capeannpleinair.com
About Cape Ann Plein Air: Cape Ann Plein Air (CAPA) is a premier outdoor painting event that celebrates the beauty and artistry of outdoor painting in Greater Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich artistic heritage, this region provides the perfect backdrop for talented artists to capture its essence. The annual festival features top artists from around the nation and beyond, who compete, exhibit, and sell their exceptional plein air creations. CAPA is committed to supporting the local arts community and promoting the creative economy in the greater North Shore area.
For more information, please visit www.capeannpleinair.org.
