Class List > Fine Arts > EVENT: "Paint The Fair" a plein air competition

EVENT: "Paint The Fair" a plein air competition

Class Fee:$60.00
 
To clarify...
Artist's registration Fee is listed as "class fee".
 
Contest rules:
Contest is open to anyone 18 years and older. 
Artist can enter up to THREE Framed & Wired pieces for judging that were created between Wednesday at 7:00am and Friday at 4:00pm.
 
Contestants must pre-register online at VillagesFolkSchool.com by Friday July 10, 2026.  The registration fee (class fee) covers three days of the event. 
On-site check-in Wed, Thurs & Fri from 7:00-8:00am under the Van Buren County Fairgrounds grandstand. Canvases stamped and goody bags with maps handed out at sign-in. If you need to sign-in at another time, you must contact Mel at 641-919-7323 and set up a time in advance.
 
All pieces must be created between 7:00am Wednesday July 15th and 4:00pm Friday July 17th .
Wednesday & Thursday is open to painting any where in Van Buren County.  Artists are invited to admire the brick and mortar historic architecture of the villages, scenic landscapes of our state forest and state park, or perhaps a gravel road winding through the fields.  Night time painting is encouraged.
We request that Friday painting takes place on the fairgrounds only. Of coarse artists are invited to paint all three days on the fairgrounds if they like.
 
Bring your own supplies: Easel, canvas, paper, paints, pastels, frame, eyelets & wire for hanging, etc. 
 
Exhibit will open to the public Friday at 5 pm. 
-Artists can bring their stamped ready to hang framed paintings to the grandstand area after 9:00am but before 4:00pm on Friday for judging. 
-Your three submissions for judging need to be stamped, framed, with a horizontal wire for hanging. 
-You may hang up one additional painting for sale (painting must have been created during PTF)
-25% of each sale will proceed Villages Folk School, a non-profit organization. Please see NOTE below.
-Award Ceremony will be under the grandstand 5:15pm Friday evening. All works released at approx. 6:30pm.
 
1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $400
3rd Place: $300
Honorable Mentions $50 (2)
*NEW* Fair Favorite $50
Several Hidden Items Cash Prizes $10each
 
Judge: John Bybee of SCC Burlington, Iowa
Honorary Judge: Ms. Margie of Ottumwa Radio
 
Purchase Pledges: 
$325 Villages Folk School
$325 Steve Kisling
$325 Van Buren County Farm Bureau
$325 Hotel Manning
$325 First Iowa State Bank 
$325 Kim & Dr. Tim Blair
$325 Van Buren County Hospital & Clinics
$325 Libertyville Savings Bank
$325 Paula Mohr and Thomas O'Donnell
 
 
Registration: https://villagesfolkschool.com/calendar.html
Camping: www.vbcountyconservation.com.
Camping is available at the fairgrounds. Please check in with the fairgrounds for camping in advance. Also camping at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park (largest with the most amenities), Bentonsport along the Des Moines River, and Morris Park near Stockport.
 
NOTE: Selling off the easel. We understand there are situations where the buyer can not attend the exhibit and wants to purchase the painting off the easel. If this happens we request that you honor the event and pay the folk school 25% of the sale price. We have only had one issue with an artist intentionally selling from the easel to the public and not honoring the event. We hope that never happens again.
 
This event is sponsored by the Villages Folk School of Van Buren County.
For more information contact Mel Stockwell at register@VillagesFolkSchool.com or 641-919-7323