The Piedmont Plein Air Paintout Begins this Week

Lenoir, NC native Julie Delgaudio grew up with a passion for art that led her to studies and a career in interior design, hosting home show art exhibitions, and opening two at galleries of her own. Long before opening J. Gallery, Julie says she dreamt of one day organizing a plein air event, and this week, a year and a half of planning comes to fruition with Piedmont Plein Air Paintout. Beginning Thursday, High Point will be home to more than 30 nationally known artists painting the city and surrounding Piedmont landscape in the open air. The public is encouraged to interact with the artists as they paint on location. Julie is joined by artist Harold Frontz.

This year's Paintout selection juror is High Point University Associate Professor of Art Scott M. Raynor, and the competition will be juried by acclaimed Asheville plein air painter Richard Oversmith. On Thursday more than 30 artists will participate in a Quick paint event along Main Street from Parkway Avenue to Farriss Avenue in High Point. Artists will paint landscapes and architecture along this corridor from 2-5 pm and the public is invited to watch works being created and completed in a short period of time. The four day plein air event—the largest in North Carolina—will culminate on Sunday with a grand public festival exhibit, and auction of the paintings created. Proceeds benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater High Point.