By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer
PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
Homer Proctor of Seaford, Delaware, won first place for his painting in the 10th annual plein air event in Berlin in September 2019.
(Aug. 27, 2020) The 11th annual plein air painting event in Berlin has been canceled because of coronavirus concerns and a lower-than-expected number of artists registered to participate.
All artists who had paid for registration were refunded.
Hosted by the Worcester County Arts Council, the outdoor painting affair was originally scheduled for Sept. 19-24.
En plein air, which translates “in the open air,” refers to the act of painting outdoors.
Typically, artists are allowed to paint within five miles of the Worcester County Arts Council facility on Jefferson Street in Berlin and spectators can observe them create.
Last year, 41 local and regional artists participated in the competition, which concluded with a “Wet Paint” exhibition and awards.
Homer Proctor of Seaford, Delaware, won first place, Mary Viega of Baltimore, Maryland, won second place, Raymond Ewing of Lewes, Delaware, won third place.
In addition, Barbara Kern-Bush of Berlin received the Honorable Mention Award, Jose Ramirez of Secretary, Maryland, received the Artists’ Choice Award, Stacy Rogers of Lewe, Delaware, won the Maryland Legislative Award, Nancy Thomas of Ridgely, Maryland, received the Worcester County Arts Council Board of Directors Award and Mateus Costa of Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, won the first place Quick Draw Award at the 10th annual event.
The paintings were then on display throughout October 2019 in the art gallery on the second floor of the Berlin branch of the Worcester County Library on Harrison Avenue.
Currently, the Berlin, Ocean Pines, Pocomoke and Snow Hill library branches are operating by appointment only.
“We planned and booked the space at the Berlin Library for the event to present the ‘Wet Paint’ exhibit and sale, however we were informed that due to the pandemic the library will remained closed and we couldn’t use it,” said Anna Mullis, the executive director of the Worcester County Arts Council.
For more information, visit worcestercountyartscouncil.org.