Plein Air to Prepare QR Code (150 x 150 px)

Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare

Event: April 12-May 12

Exhibit*: May 18-June 2; The Welcome Center

Reception: May 22; 4-6 p.m. The Welcome Center

*It is free to submit artwork for the exhibit.

Interested?

Event Registration

Exhibit Registration

During this month-long Plein Air experience, artists of all ages and experience levels are invited to draw inspiration and create art from the beauty of Howard County's blossoming Kwanzan cherry, Native Dogwood and redbud trees. These pink and white flowering trees were planted by Blossoms of Hope, a local nonprofit, over the last 20 years to enhance our quality of life through beautification projects and by supporting our community. Groves of trees are located along our state and county roadways, in parks, at local libraries, as well as at private and government buildings. Many of these trees have been planted in honor and in memory of people's loved ones.

Event

April 12-May 12

The Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare, taking place throughout Howard County will be held April 12–May 12, 2024 during which is our best estimate of when the trees will bloom (during the second week of April 2024). The 52 Blossoms of Hope tree groves will provide inspiration for artists to create pieces for both the 2024 Plein Air to Prepare Exhibit and the Blossoms 2025 Countywide Art Show (to be held during March 2025).

Upon registration, you will receive the following:

A site map of all the pink and white flowering tree groves in Howard County
Entry for the Plein Air to Prepare
An invitation to the juried Plein Air to Prepare exhibit at the Howard County Welcome Center
A $5 off coupon for the Blossoms 2025 Countywide Art Show in March 2025

Scholarships

There are student scholarships available--the first 100 students to apply will participate for free. After the first 100, students will receive a 10% discount. Please contact us at info@blossomsofhope.org to receive your scholarship code.

Artist Workshop Schedule

Thank you to our local artists who held demonstrations in our groves over the past two weekends. Those artists include Chelsea Bork, Deborah Maklowski, Katherine Wah, Amanda Milliner, Jon Schubbe, and Cindy Rivarde.

Exhibit

May 18-June 2

The plein air exhibit will be on display at the Howard County Welcome Center in Ellicott City from May 18–June 2, 2024.

The juried exhibit will be limited to 60+ pieces in 2-dimensional art; one entry per person accepted; art may be for sale (with a 20% commission being charged).

Note: Because of space limitations, most artwork shall not exceed 24" x 24" and must be wired and ready to hang.

The reception will be held on May 22, 2024 from 4-6 p.m. Awards for grand prize: $250; 1st Place $150; 2nd Place $100; student awards will also be presented.

If you have questions, contact us at info@blossomsofhope.org.

Only 2-D art will be accepted (although for the 2025 Countywide Art Show all art mediums will be allowed). Registration for the exhibit is a separate call. If you have participated in the Plein Air to Prepare event call, please contact info@blossomsofhope.org to receive your coupon code. If you solely participate in the Plein Air to Prepare exhibit, you will be asked to pay a $20 entry fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are artists "preparing" for during the Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare?

During the Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare, artists are "preparing" for two things:

The Plein Air to Prepare exhibit, at which artists may* have their work displayed, and
The Countywide Art Show in March 2025, at which Plein Air participants will be eligible to submit new or resubmit their artwork.

*The Plein Air to Prepare exhibit will be juried, so we cannot guarantee that each artist's work will be featured in the exhibit.

Can I participate solely in the Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare exhibit?

You will need to register for the Plein Air to Prepare event in order to participate in the Plein Air to Prepare exhibit.

Where do I register for the Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare?

You can register for the Plein Air to Prepare event here.

How will I know when artists are having workshops in the groves?

Once an artist announces that they will be doing a workshop in one of our groves, you will be informed by email of the workshop details.

Click here or visit the link below to sign up for artist workshops:

https://givebutter.com/artistdemos

Where do I submit art for the Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare Exhibit?

After you have registered for the Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare on Call for Entry (CaFE), you will receive an invitation register for the Exhibit.

What are the dimensions requirements for my submission?

Your submissions should be no larger than 24"x24".

How much does it cost to submit art for the Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare Exhibit?

If you have registered for the Plein Air to Prepare event, it is free to submit art to the Plein Air to Prepare exhibit.

If you have not registered, it costs $20 to submit art for the Plein Air to Prepare exhibit.

What are the differences between the Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare and the Countywide Art Show?

The Blossoms 2024 Plein Air to Prepare Exhibit will feature approximately 60+ pieces of 2-D artwork at The Welcome Center on Main St. in Ellicott City, MD (one location).

The Blossoms 2025 Countywide Art Show, held during the month of March 2025, will feature hundreds of art pieces, in all mediums, at 26+ different Howard County locations. The theme for this show will be pink and white blossoms. With this event, we are not just honoring the trees but we are bringing the art community together through Howard County.

Sponsorships

Sponsorships are available to help make this a successful event. Blossoms of Hope provides a broad exposure for our sponsors. Your sponsorship is valuable to the success of Blossoms of Hope’s mission.

There are several different levels available with guaranteed exposure for all. We hope you find one that is perfect for you or your company.

Become A Sponsor

Blossoms 2024-2025 Art Show Sponsorships