The 2024 Southport Plein Air Festival is almost upon us! You will see artists painting outside all over Southport beginning Thursday, May 2nd. Over 70 artists have registered this year already! The event culminates in a full day of fun events for the whole family and the highly anticipated Wet Paint Sale on Saturday, May 4th.
As you stroll the streets of Southport enjoying the festival, take time to stop and watch the creative process of the painters in real-time.
Open Air Painting
Give your children an opportunity to create their own masterpiece at the Kids Plein Air (art supplies provided).
Kids’ Plein Air
Live music performances and arts demonstrations are available throughout the festival. See below for more info.
Live Entertainment
What to Do at the 2024 Southport Plein Air Festival
If you aren’t ready to start your own tradition of painting at the festival, there are many other fun things to do and see!
For the Children
Up Your Arts has big plans for the activities scheduled in Keziah Memorial Park on Saturday, May 4th. Beginning at 10 am, award winning storyteller and author Joan Leotta will engage with children of all ages, telling a variety of tales throughout the day. Back by popular demand, local educator Ginger Hedblom will lead children through a variety of creative art projects.
Arts Demonstrations
Grants from the North Carolina Arts Council via Brunswick Arts Council are underwriting a brand-new event taking place in Keziah Park simultaneously on Saturday. Local artisan craftspeople will be on hand to demonstrate their specialties and instruct audience members in DIY art projects. Be sure to stop by and try your hand at creating with these local artists: Kris Adkins, acrylic paint techniques; Colleen Ament, water color and acrylic paint techniques; Mary Brown, neurographic art; Michelle Field, art journaling and yoga; Lisa Giordano, shell art; Carol Kidd, marbling; Mary Frances Rodriquez, alcohol ink and paint techniques; Missy Ronquillo, encaustic painting; Bob Salemme, color mixing; Pam Swearingin, felting techniques; and Carolyn Tabarini, thread painting. All supplies will be provided.
Music
A variety of local musicians will be performing throughout the day to entertain locals and visitors alike. Bring a lawn chair and relax under the shade of Keziah Park’s beautiful live oaks to the sounds of three different duos: Up the Creek, Ken Schnedetz and Bob Gentile, and Robert “Higgs” Higgins and Matt Warren.
Food & Fun
Food trucks will be on hand throughout the day for lunch, drinks, and snacks to help you keep your energy up. Pigs Up in Smoke offers amazing BBQ, brisket, and chicken plates that never disappoint and ice cream to finish them off with; and Moore Dogs and More carries more different kinds of hot dogs than you can shake a bun at. Definitely something for everyone!
Wet Paint Sale
The highlight of the day is the Wet Paint Sale. It begins with closure of Keziah Park for one hour, from 3 to 4 pm, to allow the registered artists to display the works they have created over the previous two or three days throughout the park.
At 4 pm, the park will reopen to all. Stroll through the park and enjoy the amazing images of the beautiful town of Southport. Each painting is unique. Watercolor, acrylic, oil, and maybe even some mixed media pieces! Pick the style and medium you appreciate the most! Be sure to place your vote for your favorite artist so you can be counted for the People’s Choice Award. Completed artwork will be offered for sale by the artists.
Awards Ceremony
The judges presiding over the Award Ceremony will have a hard time choosing their favorites. This year, they will be owners of six Southport businesses who all support and regularly host live music events: American Fish Company, Dry Street Pub and Pizza, The Grape and Ale, Cafe Koa and Fizzy Jane’s, and Haven. The most prestigious award though is awarded by you! The People’s Choice Award goes to the artist with the most votes cast by the guests attending the festival. Don’t miss out!
And Last, But Definitely Not Least
Put a Winner on Your Wall
This year, we are excited to host a raffle to win a painting created during last year’s festival by our People’s Choice winner, Brian Murphy. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase throughout the day on Saturday. Tickets are $5 each, or 5 tickets for $20. The raffle drawing will take place at 6 pm following the awards ceremony. The winner does not need to be present to win.
And it’s Free!
That’s right, the 2024 Southport Plein Air Festival is free to audiences of all ages! What a great opportunity to get out of the house, stretch your legs, explore historic Southport, watch artists in real time, and have some fun!
If you can’t attend any of the activities on May 4th, you are invited to seek out the artists who will be painting the 2nd through the 4th throughout Southport – along shorelines, in streets and yards, on the grounds of public buildings, in restaurant courtyards and decks – just about any nook and cranny from which a typical Southport scene can be captured on canvas. It’s interesting to see a new take on scenes we see every day, and the artists will likely be interested in your perspective, too.
