Artists to paint outdoors during Paint the Town Barrington! Plein Air Event

Just as the artists of Paris have done for hundreds of years, local artists will paint "plein air" - outdoors in the open air - in Barrington from Oct. 6-14.

Watch numerous artists from throughout Chicagoland as they paint local landmarks around town during the week.

Interested artists can sign up to join the competition at barrington-il.gov/pleinair. The entry fee is $35.

"Paint the Town Barrington!" begins Friday, Oct. 6, with Chicagoland Plein Air painters bringing their artistry to ... village street corners, in parks, and more," cultural director Rollin Potter said in a news release. "Please stop by to see the artists at work and to learn how the paintings begin to take shape for the competition."

All submitted work will be judged prior to the awards ceremony; there will be cash prizes of $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place, in addition to honorable mention awards in the form of Dick Blick supplies and a village of Barrington dining gift card. First, second, and third place winners will also receive a waiver of entry fees for 2024.

One additional award, known as the Artists' Choice Award, will be voted on prior to the reception and announced during the award ceremony.

You can meet the artists in person as they showcase - and sell - their newly created pieces, at a reception and awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Barrington's White Houe, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. There will be a public art sale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 15.

The public is invited to the Oct. 14 reception; it is free, but registration is requested at barringtonswhitehouse.com/events.

The event is sponsored by the Barrington Cultural Commission. For details, call (224) 512-4066.