Be First to Own Freshly Painted Local Masterpieces at the Art League of Ocean City Wet Paint Art Sales, August 15–16

OCEAN CITY, MD — August 5, 2026 — The Art League of Ocean City’s annual “Artists Paint OC Festival and Competition” is August 12-16, 2026 when 50+ professional plein air artists paint local landscapes in the area. This is the 21st year for the outdoor painting event in the resort with special celebrations planned throughout the festival. The public is invited to view the art and take home their masterpiece during the “Wet Paint Art Sales” on Saturday, August 15, 5-7 p.m. and Sunday, August 16, 1-3 p.m. at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St. bayside. Admission is free.

“Fifty artists will be capturing a moment in time on canvas, and this is your opportunity – one that only happens once a year – to purchase these beautiful original paintings of iconic local scenes that are hot off the easel at very affordable prices,” Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League, said. 

“En plein air” is a French expression that means “in the open air,” used to describe the art of painting outdoors. The annual Artists Paint OC Festival brings in more than 50 plein air painters to the resort, all professional regional artists. Artists will paint Wednesday through Saturday and compete for more than $10,000 in cash prizes.

On Saturday, August 15, the artists will bring their best work to the Arts Center to be judged by juror Kevin Fitzgerald. The Wet Paint Art Sale begins at 5 p.m., a free celebratory event that brings the artists together with the public with opportunities to purchase more than 250 just-painted landscapes. The party goes until 7 p.m. and includes live music, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks.

Sunday morning’s Quick Paint on the Boardwalk on August 16, sponsored by the Ocean City Development Corp., is an easy opportunity for the public to watch the artists paint. Artists gather on the south end of the Ocean City Boardwalk near Thrashers to paint against the clock from 9-11 a.m. They then bring their work to the Arts Center to be judged by Evan Fitzgerald where winners will be announced.

"This is an intense competition where artists are given two hours to capture a scene on the Boardwalk in paint, battling weather, subject matter that moves, and painting among crowds of onlookers,” Thaler said. “It is amazing to see what they create."

The public may purchase the Quick Paint artwork or select from hundreds of other paintings from 1-3 p.m. at the Arts Center. The celebration includes live music and complimentary refreshments. Admission is free.

Young artists ages 6–17 are invited to participate in the free Kids Paint OC competition by creating outdoor paintings throughout July. Artwork must be submitted by August 9 for a chance to be featured in a special exhibit on display on Friday, August 14, from 2-4 p.m. during the Artists Paint OC Plein Air Festival. The event includes more than $500 in cash prizes and an Ice Cream Social sponsored by Island Creamery, celebrating the creativity of the next generation of artists.

Visitors have a chance to win an original work of art by renowned plein air artist and 2026 Artists Paint OC juror Kevin Fitzgerald, who has generously donated a one-of-a-kind framed coastal painting, valued at $2,600, for a special fundraising raffle. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10, and the winning ticket will be drawn on September 30, 2026. The winner does not need to be present to win. Raffle tickets are available at the Art League of Ocean City.

Sponsors for the 2026 Artists Paint OC Festival (August 12–16): Agriculture Families, Beach to Bay Heritage Area, Marian Bickerstaff, Ed & Emmy Challenger, Crystal Collins, Reese Cropper III, Peter Glenville Foundation, Linda Guerrieri, Laura Jenkins, Berta Maginniss, Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Nichols, Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC), OCMD Hospitality Association, Ginny Outten, PNC Bank, Shore United Bank, John Sisson, and Town of Ocean City. In-kind donors are: Island Creamery and Freeman Arts.

The artists scheduled to paint and exhibit are Carolyn Aberbach, Gwendolyn Anderson, Jon Bandish, Judy Benton, Genie Blake, Alexandra Bradley, Gavin Bromell, Jacqueline Bruce-Yamin, Donna Brumbergs, Greg Cannizzaro, Katie Cassidy, Taylor Collins, Patti Connell, Christine Corbitt, Mason D’Aleo, Erica DeHart, Siobhan Duggan, John Eiseman, Kathryn Engberg, Nancy Fine, Rhonda Ford, Gerilyn Gaskill, Kathy Gibson, Jill Glassman, Catherine Homens, Bruce Ley, Lynn Lewis, Ed Lewandowski, Mimi Little, Judith Loeber, Mick McAndrews, Joanne Mcilvaine, Lin McNamara, Liz Maynes, Rebecca Morgan, Lia Pierson, Jim Rehak, Al Richards, Jose Ramírez, Gregg W Rosner, Eva Rotolo, Maggii Sarfaty, John Schisler, Jessica Schlegel, David Simpson, Olivia Spencer, Barbara Stepura, Gail Stern, Nancy Thomas, Mary Veiga, Cheryl Wisbrock, Dennis Young, and Vicky Zhou.

The plein air exhibit and sale continue at the Arts Center until September 27.

More information is available at OCart.org or by calling 410-524-9433.

The Art League of Ocean City is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting artistic expression and appreciation for the creative arts in our community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs, and community art projects. Funding is provided in part by the Worcester County Arts Council, Maryland State Arts Council, and the National Endowment of the Arts, organizations dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.