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The 4th Annual Suffolk Plein Air Festival, held Sept. 10–14, 2024, was a resounding success for Suffolk and a creative milestone for all of Coastal Virginia. The festival showcased 33 professional plein air artists from across Virginia and the United States. Over five days, these artists explored Suffolk’s waterways, rural settings, historic landmarks, and vibrant downtown scenes, creating works of art en plein air.

The festival culminated in the “Wet Paint Sale and Soiree” on Sept. 13, 2024, at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, where more than 170 original artworks were available for purchase. Juror Gavin Glakas selected 13 award winners from the exceptional entries, with cash prizes for Best in Show ($3,000), second place ($1,000), and third place ($500). Additional $100 awards were presented for paintings that best captured Suffolk’s historic, city, waterfront, rural, and farmland scenes.

 Major Award Winners:

– Best in Show (First Place): Lyudmila Tumova Clark for Timeworn  

– Second Place: Elbert Shubert for Birdsong Peanuts  

– Third Place: Rajendra KC for Morning Light

 Special Category Winners:

– Best Historic Painting: Vicky Zhou for Beer Break (painted at The Truitt House)  

– Best City Painting: Doug Clarke for Late Night Walkers  

– Best Waterfront Painting: Alex Eisenzoff for Last Trip from Lancaster  

– Best Rural Painting: Debra Dartez for Shady Recollection  

– Best Farmland Painting: Rokhaya Waring for Goats

 Honorary Awards:

– J. Dwight Bradshaw Memorial Award: John Myers for Chuckatuck Adirondack Trio  

– Brothers Trilogy Award: Coakley Brown for Good Morning Suffolk  

– Allie Blue Everette Award: Fen Roscoe for Unloaded – Loaded  

– Barbara Anne Harris Award: Lyudmila Tumova Clark for Another Man’s Treasure  

– Betsy Brothers Best Use of Light Award: Pamela Betts for Smokehouse on a Hot Day

On Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, the festival concluded with “Paint the Taste,” a fast-paced competition where artists had 120 minutes to complete a plein air piece during the “Taste of Suffolk” Downtown Street Festival. Juror Vinney Bumatay selected three youth and three adult winners from the many talented participants. Following the judging, festival-goers eagerly purchased the fresh artwork directly from the easels.

 2024 “Paint the Taste” Youth Winners:

– First Place: Emily Edwards for Center of Main Street  

– Second Place: Autumn Edwards for Teal Turbo  

– Third Place: Makaela Waddington for Old City Hall Bell

 2024 “Paint the Taste” Adult Winners:

– First Place: Lyudmila Tumova Clark for Taste of Fiesta  

– Second Place: Rajendra KC for Main Street  

– Third Place: Rokhaya Waring for Church Window

The success of the Suffolk Plein Air Festival is a testament to the vision and collaboration within Suffolk’s arts community. Special thanks go to festival co-chairs Sandy Hart and Sandy Waters, the volunteer committee, the participating artists, and art lovers for their support. The festival also benefitted from the generosity of local residents who hosted out-of-town artists and offered their properties as painting locations. Numerous businesses and sponsors, including Bridgeport Foundation, Johns Brothers Security, Lake Prince Woods, Suffolk News Herald, and Suffolk Economic Development, contributed to the festival’s success.

Proceeds from the 2024 Suffolk Plein Air Festival will help support future art initiatives through the Suffolk Art League, Suffolk Parks and Recreation, and the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. These organizations remain committed to making the arts accessible to all, fostering creativity for artists of all ages and skill levels.