Eastern Shore Art Center hosting 8th Annual outdoor painting event Plein Air Fairhope!

Each day, the Eastern Shore Art Center welcomes tourists and newcomers reveling in the beauty of this “artsy, little Alabama town”. From public sculptures and the city’s murals to the numerous galleries and shops, one doesn’t have to look too hard to find color, texture, and creativity.
 
This year’s paint out, beginning November 2nd and ending on November 7th, will give locals and visitors a chance to see artists in action or “en plein air”! Sixty artists will be set up from sunrise to sunset around town. Throughout the event, painters will be dropping off finished works (framed and unframed) for sale in the ESAC Wet Room! These pieces will be on view and available for purchase through 2pm on Friday, Nov 6th.
 
In preparation for the opening reception during First Friday Art Walk, Nov 6th, each artist will select their most prized pieces created during the event and exhibit them in the same gallery after the wet room closes out. The exhibit, sponsored by Walcott Adams Verneuille Architects, will be judged by Cory Wright and will be on display through December 19th. The Best of Show award winner, decided upon by Wright, will receive $1,000 sponsored by Prestwood Law Firm.
 
Sponsors also include local businesses Little Bird Fairhope, Jones Law Firm, Jubilee Suites, The Fairhope Inn, and The Blind Tiger. Painters will be set up at these locations at various times during the week, also featuring various homes throughout town.
 
Academy Director Reanna Watson comments, “We look forward to this exhibit every year. I love seeing how the artists capture the storefronts and scenic landscapes of the Eastern Shore in varying moods and moments. These artists are sharing their perspective of the community we know and cherish.”
 
Event Details: Painters will be set up November 2-6, 2026 (Sunrise to Sunset)
Free for the public to walk around. Map with suggested Painting Zones available online.
Exhibition of painted work is open to the public Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4pm + Saturday 10am – 6pm.  
 
NOV 4 @ 1PM Gallery Talk: Cory Wright, Plein Air Fairhope 2026 judge, will give a lecture in the Whiting Gallery. $15 admission.
 
NOV 6 @ 6 – 8 pm Reception: Please join us for the November First Friday Art Walk! Live music and refreshments served. Award for “Best of Show” and others will be presented and the exhibit will officially be open to the public.
 
NOV 7 @ 9 – 11 am Quick Draw: Participating artists and the community are invited to paint in a two-hour Quick Draw! The event will be held at the Eastern Shore Art Center and surrounding areas. Free to all Plein Air Fairhope artists. Public may participate for a donation to ESAC and is open to all ages! A prize will be awarded to the 2025 Quick Draw winner!
 
Proceeds to benefit the Eastern Shore Art Center’s community outreach efforts.
 
For more info, contact: Adrienne Clow, Marketing Director at Adrienne@esartcenter.org or 928-2228 ext 103. Visit https://esartcenter.org, Facebook, or Twitter for daily updates!
 
 
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About Eastern Shore Art Center 
The Eastern Shore Art Center connects people of all ages and abilities with the arts through education, exhibitions, and outreach activities. ESAC, dba the Eastern Shore Art Association, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation funded solely through private memberships, donations and grants relying on the goodwill of the community for its continuation. Gallery and Gift Shop hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-6pm. Free admission. 401 Oak Street, Fairhope AL 36532. Learn more at https://esartcenter.org