Friday to Sunday,
September 15, 16 & 17
The annual Carmel on Canvas Plein Air Paint Out for 2023 will be held on Friday to Sunday, September 15-17. This open-air painting exhibition and competition takes place on the sidewalks throughout the Carmel Arts & Design District, Carmel’s Midtown the City Hall Japanese Gardens, Carmel City Center and again, we are expanding to Carmel Central Park with its 161 acres of beautiful green space!
“Carmel on Canvas is a great way to bring many artists from across the Midwest to create works of art using Carmel Arts & Design District as their inspiration. One of my favorite aspects of this event is that the artists interact with the public who are able to see the works of art created. Our desire is to grow this event to be the best plein air paint out in the country,” said Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard.
The Carmel on Canvas plein air event hosts nearly 60 highly-acclaimed artists from states around the Midwest including Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and many Indiana communities as well. The artists will compete in a variety of plein air contests within the three-day event. They will register in a division that matches their skill level; professional, non-professional, teen and child.
On Saturday morning, a Quick Paint takes place at the Carmel Farmers Market at Carter Green. The winners of the adult and child categories will be selected by visitors to the market, which raises community awareness of the event overall.
During the Carmel Porchfest, the Carmel on Canvas Art Fair takes place on Sunday afternoon from Noon – 4 p.m, with this year’s Artist Lane along the Monon Greenway on 2nd Ave NW between Main Street and 1st St. NW. Artists will display creations from the Carmel on Canvas event as well as pieces from their broader scope of work. We want to thank the Carmel community for supporting each artist that participates in the Art Fair.
There will be more than $13,000 in total prizes.
Register Online for Carmel on Canvas 2023
Please click below to sign up (please note processing fees do apply):
Thank you to everyone who made 2022 Carmel On Canvas a success! Click here to read more about the 2022 event.
Register Online for Carmel on Canvas 2023
Please click below to sign up (please note processing fees do apply):
> Click here for a printable PDF registration form.
On-site registration begins at Indiana Design Center, 200 S. Range Line Road, Carmel, IN 46032, starting Friday, September 15th at 8 a.m.
CARMEL ON CANVAS PLEIN AIR PAINT OUT – SEPTEMBER 15, 16 & 17
Carmel on Canvas Plein Air Paint Out provides artists with two days of plein air painting in the Carmel Arts & Design District, Carmel Midtown, the City Hall Japanese Gardens and again, we are explanding to Carmel Central Park with its 161 acres of beautiful green space! There are 4 divisions; professional, non-professional, teen and children. There will be more than $13,000 in total prizes.
Friday, September 15th
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. – All Day Plein Air Paint Registration & Canvas Stamping
Indiana Design Center, 200 S. Range Line Road, Carmel, IN 46032
8 a.m. – Plein Air Painting Begins
Saturday, September 16th
QUICK PAINT – Carmel Farmers Market
Registration & Check-in at Carmel Farmers Market, 2 Carter Green, Carmel, IN 46032
8 – 9 a.m. – Quick Paint Registration & Canvas Stamping
Carmel Farmers Market, 2 Carter Green, Carmel, IN 46032
9 a.m. – Quick Paint Starts
10:30 a.m. – Quick Paint painting must be turned in at judging tent
10:30 – 11 a.m. – Quick Paint “Community Choice” Judging, Awards to Follow
ALL DAY PLEIN AIR PAINT
8 a.m. – Noon – Registration & Canvas Stamping
Indiana Design Center, 200 S. Range Line Road, Carmel, IN 46032
4 – 5 p.m. – Plein Air Painting must be turned in at judging tent
Carmel Midtown Elm Street and Monon Boulevard
ARTWORK WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN 4 – 5 p.m.
5 p.m. – All Day Plein Air Reception and Public Viewing
6 p.m. – Tents Closed for Judging
6:30 p.m. – All Day Plein Air Award Ceremony
8 p.m. – Tent Closed (all paintings must be picked up)
Sunday, September 17th
CARMEL ON CANVAS ART FAIR*
Noon – 4 p.m. however, Carmel PorchFest goes from noon to 6 p.m.
Artists’ Lane is along the popular Carmel Monon Greenway on 2nd Ave. NW between Main Street and 1st Street NW.
Free – Bring your own easels.
*Registered Carmel on Canvas All Day Plein Air artists are eligible to sell their art at the Carmel on Canvas Art Fair. There are a limited number of spots available – first come, first served.
PLEASE NOTE: Artists may show only their own art. Please provide your own easels and displays for your art. Artists may begin set-up on Sunday at 9 a.m.; however, artists are responsible for their own items.
Please see Entry Fees & Awards section for more information and to register for the Carmel on Canvas Art Fair.
Carmel on Canvas Creative Kids Zone
Saturday, September 16th, Noon – 3 p.m.
Do you know of a young, budding artist? Come visit us at the Carmel on Canvas Creative Kids Zone! We have two locations available for some kid-friendly art fun. The Creative Kids Zone is FREE to the public.
Kids Zone location:
The Carmel Art Council’s Children’s Art Gallery, 40 West Main Street, Carmel
Purchase Awards
Carmel on Canvas artists have the opportunity to compete for Purchase Awards by painting the sponsoring business’ establishment and winning the listed monetary prize. Purchase Awards paintings are not included in the Plein Air Paint Out Awards entry or prize money, only Purchase Award prize money. Winners will be chosen on Saturday night.
List of participating businesses:
All Things Carmel: $500
The Carrie Holle Group: $400
Indiana Design Center: $300
Register Online for Carmel on Canvas 2023
Please click below to sign up (please note processing fees do apply):
Registration fees are valid until Thursday, September 14, 2023. Please note, the registration fees will increase starting Friday, September 15, 2023.
CARMEL ON CANVAS PLEIN AIR ENTRY FEES & AWARDS
Professional Division Paint Out
$40 pre-registration
$50 day-of
Grand Prize/Best of Show – $3,000*
2nd Prize – $2,000
3rd Prize – $1,500
4th Prize – $1,000
10 Merit Awards – $200 each
Non-professional Division Paint Out
$20 pre-registration
$25 day-of
1st Prize – $500
2nd Prize – $300
3rd Prize – $200
2 Merit Awards – $100 each
Teen Division (ages 13-18) Paint Out
$15 pre-registration & day-of
1st Prize – $150
2nd Prize – $100
3rd Prize – $50
Children’s Division (12 & under) Paint Out
$10 pre-registration & day-of
2 Merit Awards – $50 each
*Please note the Grand Prize/Best of Show winning painting becomes the property of the City of Carmel with an agreed upon purchase price not to exceed $1,500. See Rules for Carmel on Canvas page for more details.
Quick Paint
$15 pre-registration & day-of
Adult 1st Prize – $300
Adult 2nd Prize – $200
Adult 3rd Prize – $100
Child Merit – $50
CARMEL ON CANVAS ART FAIR (SUNDAY)
The Carmel on Canvas Art Fair takes place on Sunday afternoon from Noon – 4 p.m. Artist Lane is along the Carmel Monon Greenway during the popular Porchfest at 2nd Ave. NW between Main Street and 1st St.
- Only registered Carmel on Canvas All Day Plein Air artists are eligible to sell their art at the Art Fair.
- There are a limited number of spots available and will be reserved on a first come, first served basis
- Artists may show only their own art
- Set-up begins Sunday at 9 a.m., however, artists are responsible for their own items
- Artists must provide their own easels and displays for their art
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CARMEL ON CANVAS RULES
Home | Schedule of Activities | Entry Fees & Awards | Carmel on Canvas Rules
We’re delighted that you’re choosing to spend your weekend in Carmel, Indiana. Please see items below to help answer your Carmel on Canvas questions.
Rules:
Plein Air Paint Out & Quick Paint
Only one work may be submitted for each of the painting events, the All Day Plein Air Paint Out and Quick Paint; plus each canvas must have the correct stamp.
Purchase Award paintings are not included in the Plein Air Paint Out Awards entry or prize money, only Purchase Award prize money.
- All mediums are included in judging (watercolor, oil, drawing.)
- Each artist’s canvas stamp must be visible at the time of turn in for each registered event.
- Artists shall not sign their paintings.
- All Day Plein Air Paint Out artwork submissions will only be accepted at the Artists’ Lane tent at Midtown Plaza, 365 Monon Blvd., between 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Artists must provide their own easels and canvases.
- No painting or drawing of the Amish, please.
- The City of Carmel purchases the Grand Prize/Best of Show winning painting and reserves all rights to future use of image for an agreed upon purchase price not to exceed $1,500.
- Plein Air Paint Out locations include the Carmel Arts & Design District, Carmel Midtown, the City Hall Japanese Gardens, Carmel City Center, and NEW FOR 2022, Carmel Central Park with its 161 acres of beautiful green space!
- The Carmel Arts & Design District is generally framed by the masonry and steel arches along Main Street and Range Line Road, up to and including the following intersections:
- Smoky Row & North Range Line Road Roundabout
- Richland Ave. (4th Ave) & East Main Street stop light (west of the Carmel Clay Public Library and Carmel High School)
- Elm Street & South Range Line Road Roundabout
- 4th Ave. SW and West Main Street Roundabout
- Carmel’s Midtown follows The Monon Greenway from 2nd Street SW, south to Walnut Street and bordered by 4th Ave SW becoming 3rd Ave SW on the west and Range Line Road on the east.
- The Japanese Gardens can be found just south of the City Hall building, located at One Civic Square.
- Carmel City Center is on the south side of City Center Drive including Hotel Carmichael and numerous shops, restaurants and services. It resembles an international village.
- Carmel Central Park with its 161 acres of beautiful green space is near 111th and College Ave!
> Arts & Design District Map
> Event Boundary Map
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Registration:
- The All Day Plein Air Paint Out registration and canvas stamping takes place at the Indiana Design Center, 200 S. Range Line Road, Carmel, IN 46032.
- The Quick Paint registration and canvas stamping takes place at Carmel Farmers Market, 2 Carter Green, Carmel, IN 46032.
Art Fair:
- Only registered Carmel on Canvas All Day Plein Air artists are eligible to sell their art at the Art Fair. This year, the Artists Lane is along the Carmel Monon Greenway during the popular Carmel Porchfest at 2nd Ave NW between Main Street and 1st St. NW.
- There are a limited number of spots available and will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.
- Artists may show only their own art.
- Set-up can begin Sunday at 9 a.m. Our posted Art Fair time is Noon-4:00 p.m.; however, please be aware that the Carmel PorchFest is from noon-6:00 p.m. and motorized vehicles are not allowed in the area until after the event is over. Artists can cart or carry their belongings after 4:00 p.m.; or they are welcome to remain until 6:00 p.m.
- Artists are responsible for their own items.
- Artists must provide their own easels and displays for their art.
