Professional artists from Colorado to Ohio will travel to Mineral Point and set up their easels and canvases this Aug. 7-10 for the sixth edition of Paint the Point. Thanks to an excellent reputation and national advertising, all 45 available openings were filled nearly two months in advance of the event, which presents a myriad of scenic vistas for artists to paint en plein air.
Artists will compete for over $5,000 in cash prizes in three separate competitions during the four-day event. Paintings will be displayed and sold 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 10 at the historic Masonic Lodge, 304 High St.
In The Main Event category, artists paint from Aug. 7 through the afternoon of Aug. 9 throughout the town of Mineral Point. They will capture landscapes, farms as well as scenes of the historic city. On Friday afternoon, a jury of art professionals judge two paintings submitted by each artist.
The Nocturne Event (night-time painting) begins the evening of Aug. 7. Participating artists begin painting at dusk, into the night, and then submit their completed paintings the next morning. Visitors are encouraged to visit Mineral Point, enjoy dinner and watch artists paint by moonlight.
The Quick Paint Event begins at 8 a.m. Aug. 10. Artists have only two hours from start to finish to create a painting of the downtown historic district. Visitors are encouraged to watch artists work. Completed paintings are then judged and will be available for sale at 1 p.m. in a tent adjacent to the Masonic Lodge.
Paint The Point is presented by Arts Mineral Point, Inc., a 501(c)3 charitable organization whose mission is “to nurture and promote the arts in Mineral Point.” The group receives a commission for each painting sold. Sponsorship information as well as the event schedule and exhibit venue location map is available at www.artsmp.org/paint-the-point.