Professional artists from around the Mid-Atlantic region will set up their easels throughout Historic Ellicott City for three days July 10-12, capturing the city’s unique charm and character while competing for at least $5,000 in cash prizes during Paint It! Ellicott City 2015. The public is invited to come watch the painters in action, and artists from the community are invited to join the fun as Open Paint-Out participants.

Paint It! will include two exciting new events this year: a Quick Draw Competition on July 11 from 10am–12pm, in which artists will compete for a cash prize as they take a painting from start to finish in just two hours; and a presentation and book signing by Gary Pendleton, author of 100 Plein Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic.

Following the three-day paint-out, the Howard County Arts Council will display nearly 50 of the paintings in the Paint It! Ellicott City juried exhibition in Gallery I at the Howard County Center for the Arts. An exhibit featuring works by 40 or more emerging and professional artists participating in the open (non-juried) paint-out will also be exhibited for one day in the Center lobby.

Both exhibits open on July 13, with a preview and reception from 6-8 pm when the art will be unveiled and offered for sale. Juror awards and other cash prizes will be presented at this time, including Best in Show and the Gino Award, two $1,000 cash awards named in honor of Ellicott City artist Gino Manelli (1915-2010). The preview and reception are free and will include wine and cheese and musical entertainment. The juried exhibit will be on view at the Center for the Arts through August 21. The open paint-out exhibit will be on view at the Center for the Arts on July 13, then move to the Howard County Welcome Center in downtown Ellicott City on July 14, where work will be offered for sale and on view through the summer.

Artists interested in the Open Paint-Out ($10 fee) can register via the website or by phone.