Plein Air New Bern is an event to showcase the beauty, history, and unique qualities of New Bern, NC through the timeless and elegant medium of plein air painting. Twenty five artists will be invited to stay in New Bern for a six day painting competition with juried awards and sales opportunities, culminating in a Collector’s Sale and Gala.
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This inaugural event will take place MAY 10-16, 2021, and will offer artists numerous breathtaking locations to complete original works. Artists’ daily completed works will be displayed in the Main Gallery at Bank of the Arts, a 1,200 square foot exhibition space housed in a turn of the century former bank building in the downtown area. 

The Jurors

Haidee-Jo Summers
Awards Juror

Awarded Artist of the Year 2012 by the Society of All Artists and one of the few artists chosen by the BBC to paint the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Pageant from the Millennium bridge, Haidee-Jo is a full-time professional artist known for painting landscapes and seascapes 'en plein air'. ​In 2016 Haidee-Jo was elected a full member of the Royal Institute of Oil painters and in 2017 an Associate member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists.  

Nancy Tankersley
​Artist Juror

​Active in the current plein air movement, and a founder of Plein Air Easton, Nancy Tankersley travels worldwide participating in competitions, judging and teaching. In 2018 she was invited to be an instructor and demonstrator at the Plein Air Convention in Santa Fe and released her first instructional video with Lilliedahl Videos. Recent honors include Best of Show at Parrsboro, Nova Scotia International Plein Air 2018, and Best of Show at the Lighthouse Plein Air Festival 2017.

A Variety of Locations

Tryon Palace
Historic Downtown
Union Point Park & Marinas
Palace & Local Gardens
The first capital of North Carolina and sitting at the junction of two rivers, New Bern offers a variety of beautiful locations to inspire plein air artists of all types and styles. Settings include waterfront and dock, eight blocks of historic downtown, three historic homes districts, Tryon Palace and Gardens, and much much more. 

$4000 Best in Show Award

Craven Arts is currently seeking sponsorship for awards and other prizes for the 2021 Plein Air New Bern event. A full list of total prize amounts and other awards will be published soon.