ArtsAltoona invites artists and art lovers alike to celebrate the beauty of the region through a two-day plein air painting event, culminating in a public wet sale of freshly created works.

The plein air event will take place Friday-Saturday, May 22-23, offering artists the opportunity to create original works outdoors, capturing the natural and urban landscapes of the Altoona area in real time.

Participating artists are required to pre-register, with a registration fee of $35. Artists should report to the ArtsAltoona Center on Friday, May 22, from 8 to 10 a.m. to check in and receive their official event information packet.

Painting will take place throughout the day on Friday and Saturday at locations of the artists’ choosing within the designated area.

Plein air events will be held May 22-24 in both Altoona and Bedford, each culminating with a wet sale at their respective locations on Sunday, May 24. Plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air,” referring to painting outdoors on-site, rather than in a studio. Courtesy photo

The event will conclude with a wet sale, open to the public, on Sunday, May 24, from noon to 4 p.m. at the ArtsAltoona Center. This sale offers a unique opportunity for collectors and community members to purchase freshly completed works directly from participating artists.

This event celebrates the immediacy and vibrancy of plein air painting while fostering connection between artists and the community.

Artists will compete for cash prizes, with a $500 Best in Show award selected by a juror and a $250 People’s Choice award determined by public vote.

Artists can pre-register at ArtsAltoona.org.

For more information, email info@artsaltoona.org.

‘Paint Bedford County’

The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art has announced “Paint Bedford County,” a weekend-long celebration of art, nature and culture presented in collaboration with the historic Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa.

The event will take place May 22-24 across the resort grounds and the greater Bedford community.

On Friday and Saturday, visitors can experience plein air painting as regional artists capture scenes of Bedford in real time. Artists will be set up throughout the area — from the resort to the surrounding Bedford County — turning the community into a working studio. Attendees are welcome to explore different locations and interact with the artists as they paint.

Artists interested in participating in the Paint Bedford County must register by May 22 at https://www.sama-art.org/event-details/paint-bedford-

county or by contacting SAMA at bedford@sama-art.org or 814-589-3020. A $35 non-refundable participation fee is required for artists, and participation is limited to 50 entrants.

Registered artists and day-of participants will check in at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Bedford at 9:30 a.m. on May 22.

Cash awards, sponsored by local businesses, will be given for Best of Show, Award of Excellence and Honorable Mention.

The weekend concludes with a Wet Sale from 1 to 4 p.m. May 24 at Omni Bedford Springs. The sale will include a cash bar and feature original works created throughout the weekend. Awards will be distributed at the sale event.

There is no admission fee to attend the wet sale, which offers the opportunity for seasoned collectors and new art lovers alike to take home a piece of the experience.

For more information, visit www.sama-art.org/bedford.