DOVER—The Downtown Dover Partnership (DDP), in concert with the Biggs Museum, recently featured a weeklong celebration of the painting outdoors also known as “plein air painting” in downtown Dover.  23 artists Delaware and Maryland and the surrounding region enjoyed beautiful fall temperatures and sunshine as they captured the beauty of the Capital City over several days’ time and then then exhibited them at The Biggs Museum of American Art.  Music by electric violinist Bronwyn Beth and a painting demo by Maggii Sarfaty also accompanied the event. 

After a two-week exhibit in downtown shops, the public is now invited to view the exhibit virtually and select their favorite painting no later than November 30 by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/VirtualPaintDover24 

“This sixth-year event has become a favorite among artists, due to the cooler temperatures, fall colors, the variety of architectural styles, and simply, the beauty of Dover, ” DDP Executive Director Diane Laird and originator of the event commented.  Artist Trish Doty, a winner of two awards, noted how relaxing it was to paint in this three-day event and this setting.”  Ms. Doty, a first-timer to Dover, won two awards this year.  Frank Burns, a plein air artist from Wilmington, said “I look forward to this event each year. I wouldn’t miss it!”  

Paint Dover’s artists competed for $2,000 in awards. Paintings feature scenes of Dover’s history and outdoor landscape, including titles such as Along the Green, Closing Time on Silver Lake, Rose Cottage Morn, Atop Christ Church, On The Coner of Division and State, and The Lunch Spot.  The paintings are completed using a variety of media including oil, pastel, ink and watercolor.  Paintings are available for sale during and after the event. Community members who have purchased paintings have indicated they are excited to take home a ”piece of Dover” captured through the eyes of artists.   

This year, winners included:  

• Mayor’s Choice:  Karen Mcgloughlin 

• Curator’s Choice – 1st Place:  Quenna Mast 

• 2nd Place:  Trish Doty 

• This is Dover!:  N. Taylor Collins 

• Stately Homes:  Trish Doty 

• Dover Heritage:  Robert Manning 

• Iconic Loockerman:  Katie Mundie 

• Small Works:  Cathy King 

• Small Works:  Teresa Rodriguez 

• Small Works:  Cheryl Wisbrock 

 This art event is part of a commitment to providing high quality arts programming in downtown Dover, previous years’ images can be seen at various times throughout the year on banner poles over Loockerman Street. 

For more about Paint Dover’s 2024 outcome, and to vote for your favorite painting for People’s Choice award, visit:  Https://Tinyurl.com/DoverArt, call 302-678-2940 or contact Diane@DowntownDoverPartnership.com.  

Paint Dover! is produced by  Main Street Dover (a subsidiary of the Downtown Dover Partnership) with generous sponsors and partners including Bayhealth, The Biggs Museum of American Art, Affordable Business Systems, Blick Art Materials, City of Dover Mayors Office, Delaware Division of the Arts, Del-One Federal Credit Union, Dover Art League, Jerry’s Artarama of Delaware (Newark), National Endowment for the Arts, and PNC Bank.