- Deadline
- 21 days left
- Entry fee
- $25
- Award
- $5,000
- Location
- Ottawa, Illinois
- Exhibition window
- Sep 11, 2026 → Sep 13, 2026
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About
Submit 1–5 artworks created on location during the festival for competition and potential sale.
Overview
Paint the Town is a premier en plein air festival where artists of all levels come together to capture the beauty of Ottawa. Nestled 80 miles southwest of Chicago, Ottawa offers picturesque downtown landscapes, historic architecture, and vibrant public parks framed by the Illinois and Fox Rivers.
Key Dates
- September 11: Town tours to discover scenic painting locations
- September 12: All-day painting within Ottawa city limits
- September 13: Artwork submission by 8 AM, awards exhibition and announcements at 10 AM, Nell's Woodland Arts Day at 11 AM
Eligibility
Open to artists of all experience levels. Must be available to create artwork in Ottawa on Saturday, September 12. Travel and accommodation stipends are not available.
How to Enter
- Submit 1–5 artworks created on location during the festival
- Include artist statement
- Any traditional plein air medium allowed
- Only one piece per artist may be submitted for judging
- Artwork must be submitted by 8 AM Sunday, September 13
Awards
- Best in Show: $2,000
- 2nd Place: $1,000
- 3rd Place: $600
- 4th Place: $400
- 4 × Judge's Choice: $250 each
Fees
$25 application fee.
Guidelines & Conditions
- All artwork must be created on location within Ottawa city limits during the festival
- No size requirements
- Artists receive 50% commission on sales
- Festival stamp must be visible on back of artwork (or provide photos/video if framing obscures it)
- Unframed canvases must be trimmed or wrapped with finished edges
- Unsold artwork must be retrieved by end of sales (3 PM Sunday); artist responsible for shipping if not retrieved
- Any artwork remaining more than 60 days will be considered an unrestricted donation
Contact
For more details, contact the City of Ottawa Arts Committee at [email protected]. September 1st information packets will be emailed to applicants.
- Award
- $5,000 in prizes: Best in Show $2,000, 2nd Place $1,000, 3rd Place $600, 4th Place $400, 4 × Judge's Choice $250 each.
- Entries per artist
- Up to 5
- Sales commission
- Organizer retains 50% on sales
- Eligibility
- Open to artists of all experience levels. Must be available to create artwork in Ottawa on Saturday, September 12.
- Audience
- Open to artists of all experience levels.
- Contact
- [email protected]
Every listing links to the organizer's official page. Always confirm deadlines, fees, and entry rules there before you apply.