In 2016 the towns of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester-by-the-Sea will serve as host to the first annual Cape Ann Plein Air competition and festival. Up to 40 of the finest artists in the field today (both locals as well as nationally recognized plein air painters) will compete for over $16,000 in prizes and awards. They will search out the best spots and finest scenes, creating a living record of Cape Ann today as they see it and paint it.

Cape Ann Plein Air will take place Monday through Sunday, October 10-16, 2016… a week-long celebration of painting outdoors in these idyllic and picturesque coastal towns. Join us this fall, when the Cape Ann light is at its best, and watch the artists at work throughout all four of our waterfront communities.
The work produced can be acquired at the CAPA Grand Gala, on Saturday, October 15th, held at the Rockport Art Association and Museum.

Cape Ann Plein Air is a cooperative venture, organized by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, the Cape Ann Community Foundation, seARTS, Rockport Art Association & Museum, North Shore Arts Association, Rocky Neck Art Colony, Cape Ann Cultural Districts: Rockport, Rocky Neck, Harbortown & Essex, the Essex Merchants Group, and the many other artists and arts & culture organizations and supporters of Cape Ann.

Learn more at capeannpleinair.com.