Dare Arts Announces Inaugural Fresh From The Outer Banks Plein Air Event Award Recipients

Best In Show: Chip Hemingway “Wanchese Harbor” (oil)

Idyllic weather coupled with the Outer Banks’ pristine beaches, unique flora and fauna, historic architecture, piers, and lighthouses set the perfect backdrop for Dare Arts’ inaugural Fresh From The Outer Banks- A Plein Air Event, which was held September 3-5. 

Fresh From The Outer Banks- A Plein Air Event was a brand new offering for Dare Arts’ 50th anniversary this year. 

“Painting “en plein air” means “in the open air” and plein air events bring artists together from all over to create new work in the great outdoors while sharing their craft with the public,” said Dare Arts Vice President David Beal. “We thought Dare Arts’ 50th anniversary was the opportune time to try something that has never been done on the Outer Banks, and to invite artists to paint this beautiful place we get to call home.”

The check-in and stamping tent in the Dare Arts Courtyard.

Over 70 artists participated in the event, with some hailing from as far as New Jersey, West Virginia, and Georgia, plus local and regional artists. 

They all arrived at Dare Arts on the afternoon of September 3 to have their blank canvases stamped before heading off to any location of their choosing within Dare County to paint en plein air during the event’s 48 hour timeframe. 

Elizabeth Blanchard's plein air set up for the event. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Blanchard.

From The Elizabethan Gardens to Avalon Pier to the Manteo Waterfront to Bodie Island Lighthouse and beyond, many of the artists were seen out on the Outer Banks painting en plein air on Thursday, September 4.

By 3:00pm on Friday, September 5 the artists had returned to Dare Arts and submitted 111 completed pieces created “Fresh From The Outer Banks” to be hung in an exhibition that would open that evening at 6:00pm during First Friday in downtown Manteo. 

Award-winning plein air artist Fen Rasco judging the exhibit.

Between 3:00pm and 6:00pm, the Dare Arts board and staff worked furiously to hang the exhibit while award-winning American Impressionist Fen Rascoe from Windsor, NC spent over two hours judging the plein air paintings.

“This exhibit is phenomenal for a first time plein air event,” said Rascoe. “The submitted work is exactly what I hoped it would be - a variety of styles, viewpoints, watercolors, acrylics, oils, etc.  It’s always fun to see what people choose to paint, and who chooses to get out of their comfort zone. I always look for who breaks from the herd.”

Rascoe carefully selected the following award recipients: 

Best In Show: Chip Hemingway “Wanchese Harbor” (oil) 

Excellence Awards: Nancy Fine “Peaceful Marsh” (oil) and Mary Veiga “Morning Radiance” (oil)

Honorable Mentions: Brad Price “Marsh” (oil), Elizabeth Hanfelt “Wanchese Dock” (watercolor), Debra Dartez “Morning Surf” (oil), and Elizabeth Blanchard “Avalon Pier” (oil)

“I love the Impressionist style, and these are the folks that did it,” added Rascoe. “I couldn’t ignore the “Wanchese Harbor” painting. It’s such a complicated piece to do en plein air, and Chip simplified it perfectly. All of the light and angles are right, and everything is connected and in rhythm." 

Chip Hemingway's plein air setup during the event. Photo courtesy of Chip Hemingway.

Artist Chip Hemingway from Wilmington, NC took home the Best In Show award for his plein air painting of the Wanchese Marina. 

“Wanchese Harbor is a beautiful yet complex location to capture, but I wanted to challenge myself for this event,” said Hemingway. “I have been painting en plein air for 25 years, and I try to get outside and create as much as possible. Thank you to Dare Arts for a spectacular event.”

Mary Veiga and her plein air setup during the event. Photo courtesy of Mary Veiga.

Plein air artists from all over the East Coast traveled to the Outer Banks for this inaugural event, including Excellence Award recipient Mary Veiga from Baltimore, Maryland.

“While staying in one of the Nags Head accommodations recommended by Dare Arts, I got up at 6:30am each day, went out to the steps on the sand dunes, and set up to paint,” said Veiga. “I created two paintings during the event, spending five hours painting the first day and two hours painting the second day. I love the sand dunes and scenery here. I enjoy painting glowing atmospheres, so beach sunrises are one of my favorites to create en plein air.” 

People's Choice piece "Movin On" by Cathy Donnelly.

At the exhibit’s opening reception, over 100 guests voted for the People’s Choice award, which went to artist Cathy Donnelly for her plein air piece “Movin’ On” (oil). 

With a ton of moving parts for this new endeavor, Dare Arts is thrilled with the turnout, the amazing art that was created, and the community’s engagement and support of the event. 

“A full year of detailed planning came to fruition last week,” said Dare Arts Executive Director Jessica Sands. “Our staff and board have been working on this event for so long, and to see it all come together so seamlessly was truly the icing on the cake.” 

The Fresh From The Outer Banks Plein Air exhibit will remain on display in Dare Arts’ Courtroom Gallery through Friday, September 26. The Gallery is open Tuesday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm and Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm.

Fresh From The Outer Banks is presented by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. 

Thank you to the Don & Catharine Bryan Cultural Series, Dare County, Outer Banks Community Foundation, Trio, TowneBank, Jane Webster, The Jolly Roger Restaurant, David and Carol Beal, Bev Perdue, OBX Skeeter Beater, Rubber Ducky Sunscreen, Front Porch Cafe, and Island Art Supply for sponsoring this event.

For more information about Dare Arts, please visit DareArts.org or call (252) 473-5558.

In 2025, Dare Arts is commemorating its 50th anniversary by celebrating its past, present, and future. Dare Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.