The first-ever Plein Air Painting invitational in Boothbay Harbor and around the peninsula will be held Sept. 7-13 The event has been added as a Harbor Fest highlight and will feature a week of painting events, public receptions and art sales.

Where it all began: the Boothbay peninsula, one of Maine’s most photographed coastlines and historic artist colonies, has become an outdoor painting studio for world-renowned plein air painters. Over the past five years, a community collaboration among artists, business owners and media, including Corinne McIntyre, Mary Phelps, Carol Hartnett, Lindy Bragg, Win and Lori Mitchell, Roger Milinowski and Lisa Kristoff, has developed into what will now become the first Plein Air invitational event in our region: A Stroke of Art.

The seven-day event will feature the works of top plein air landscape painters who will compete for prestigious prizes, participate in public paint-outs, an OPA Paint Out, quick draws, wet wall pairings with local merchants, painting demonstrations, conversations and more. The public will have the opportunity to view and purchase their work at daily receptions held throughout the week at Harborfields Waterfront Cottages, Andrews’ Harborside Restaurant, Spruce Point Inn and Rocktide Inn.

The Stroke of Art Grand Finale will take place on Sunday, September 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harborfields waterfront estate. This highly anticipated Meet the Artists Collectors Brunch will feature a "first look" of the original art created throughout the week, that will be presented for award consideration and juried by Boothbay’s own internationally known and award-winning artist, Carlton Plummer. The event will also feature a catered brunch by Boothbay Harbor Restaurant Group, live music with the Downeast Soul Coalition Group, and fine artisan and craft vendors. Tickets purchased before Aug. 31 will include a $50 voucher toward a painting purchase at the Collectors Brunch. Tickets are limited and early purchase is recommended. Tickets are currently available online at www.boothbayharborfest.com or at COCO VIVO, 129 Commercial Street, Boothbay Harbor, and the Boothbay Farmers Market, Boothbay Common, every Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon.

Proceeds from daily art sales will help benefit a variety of local nonprofit organizations. The weeklong event will also bring great exposure and new business to our region, attracting artists and collectors alike, from Maine and around the world. There are several opportunities available to support the Stroke of Art event, to include: event participation, as an advertiser in the SOA catalog, an event sponsor or a volunteer. All event information can be found at www.boothbayharborfest.com.

A Stroke of Art sponsors include: Maine Magazine, Key Bank, WCLZ Portland Radio Group, WMTW Channel 8, Harborfields Watefront Cottages, Boothbay Harbor Restaurant Group, COCO VIVO Artful Living, Tony van Hasselt, AWS, ONE Event Productions, Andrews’ Harborside Restaurant, Spruce Point Inn, Rocktide Inn and Boothbay Craft Brewery.