Join us for one of the biggest local celebrations of local artists in the DC region: the three-day Paint the Town Labor Day Show & Sale. This is one of the longest-running and largest art shows in the area, with hundreds of works by local artists, all members of MAA.
• Original artwork for sale, with a portion of proceeds supporting MAA
• Artists Marketplace, with small works, prints and notecards for sale
• Plein air painting competition for adults and youth
• Awards ceremony
• Live art demos
• Food trucks
• Live music
• NEW Preview reception for participating artists
Art Show • All three days • Free to the public!
One of the biggest and most popular original community art events in the DC region, our Paint the Town Labor Day Show is an annual celebration of local artists. The free, three-day event includes a judged art show of hundreds of pieces of artwork made by local artists, an awards ceremony and reception that’s open to the public, three days of live art demonstrations, plein air painting competitions for adults and children, and a special student invitational art contest.
Plein Air Competition
As you walk around Kensington on the Saturday of the show weekend, you’ll likely see dozens of artists painting and drawing. Those are participants of our annual Paint the Town Plein Air Competition. From 7 am-3 pm, adults and children complete paintings with a Kensington theme and submit them for prizes awarded by our show judge.
The annual competition is open to all adults and children in the community. The cost is free for children under 18 and for current MAA members; adults pay $10 per person. Your paper or canvas must be stamped by an MAA official at the Kensington Armory the morning of the competition, before you start working.
Registration
The Montgomery Art Association is currently accepting entries from artists 18 years or older in Maryland, Virginia, and DC for our big Paint the Town Labor Day show in Kensington, MD running Sept 2-4, 2023. Learn more here: MontgomeryArt.org/event-5194297
The show features about 500 artworks by 200 members and draws 3,500+ visitors. We also award prizes to category winners. Participants can enter two original works and sell prints and cards. Note that MAA annual membership is required to participate. In addition to the main show, MAA will also host its annual plein air competition. Members, plus adults and children from the community, are invited to participate and have up to eight hours to complete a work within the boundaries of Kensington. Free for children and members, and $10 for non-member adults. Join us!
