Windsor & Eton En Plein Air
Saturday 20th July 2024 in Windsor Castle
Now in its 11th year, EN PLEIN AIR Windsor & Eton is an open-air painting event and competition open to both amateur and professional artists and artists’ groups.
Royal consent has been granted to allow the competition to be staged again within the walls of Windsor Castle. This is a privileged, unique opportunity and a not to be missed chance to soak up the magnificent architecture while painting in such a stunning setting.
Artists are invited to create their own masterpiece over a six-and-a-half-hour period in one of 11 locations within The Castle grounds including the beautiful secluded Moat Garden and The Quadrangle, normally a private part of The Castle and scene of many milestone royal occasions. There will be a limited number of artists allowed in each location.
The day culminates with a pop-up exhibition where finished pieces are displayed on easels. The work is judged and prizes awarded and then the exhibition is then open to the public to view and buy.
Registration fee is £60.00
What Should I Expect
This special experience offers artists a wonderful painting opportunity in one of the world’s most recognised castles. You will be setting up your easel and spending the day in a pre-selected prime site in this historic venue. Expect a well organised event ending in a competition with cash prizes and pop-up exhibition where you can sell your work. Plan on a busy day of painting where there will be plenty of visitor interaction (depending on the location you select) and a chance to network with fellow artists. We can guarantee it will be a tiring but thoroughly enjoyable experience.
How to Enrol
Please read the terms and conditions below and the Participant pack, and complete the booking enrolment form, security details and pay the £60 entry fee. Artists places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Please remember to bring the specified ID with you on the day at advance gate, Windsor Castle. Enrolment closes 30th June at midnight.
Judging and Prizes
Windsor & Eton En Plein Air will be judged by three professionals in the field.
First prize - £2000
Second prize - £500
Third Prize - £250
What’s Included
•The chance to be part of a fantastic day of painting in a historic location
•Public exhibition and opportunity to sell your work. All sales will be managed by the organisers with a credit card machine
•Certificate of participation
•Lanyard and water bottle
•Substantial cash prizes - (First prize £2,000, second prize £500, third prize £250, People’s Choice Award £250)
•Discounted food/drink vouchers to local participating cafes and restaurants
•Pre-event webinar for artists with helpful tips and suggestions to make the day run smoothly
•Training day run by an experienced EPA artist
•Pre-event launch – Tuesday, 22nd May
•Substantial marketing
Event Details – Terms & Conditions
•Each participant, if required, can bring one helper (over the age of 16)
•Please note your lanyard and security pass entitles you to unlimited entry into and out of The Castle grounds for the day but is NOT valid for any of The Castle interior
•Paint or draw within pre-selected locations on Saturday 20th July 2024
•Maximum size of artwork 1m x 1m
•All work must be completed en plein air
•Canvases or paper must be stamped at registration by the organisers prior to any work being undertaken. We will allow a pre-wash to cover the blank canvas or paper
•More than one canvas or paper can be stamped but only one can be entered into the completion
•Due to the sensitive nature of the venue, security measures are in place and you will be kept informed of these details
•Gazebos and tents are not permitted in The Castle grounds
•Artists are responsible for bringing appropriate shade/wet weather cover plus sufficient refreshments for the day. The food outlets in The Castle are limited and expensive
•Please supply your own artists’ materials, easel, chair etc
•Ambassadors will be present throughout the day, directing you to where you need to be
•Finish painting at 4pm and submit one piece by 4.30pm at Windsor Royal Shopping (exact location subject to change due to weather or other circumstances)
•Work should be unframed and presented on your own easel
•The exhibition will be set up and manned by the organisers
•Judging will take place on Saturday 20th July at 5.00pm
•Exhibition open to the public 4.30pm – 6.30pm
•Artists may, if they wish, sell their work at the exhibition. All sales are to be handled by the organisers who will have a credit card machine to facilitate transactions. A charge of 20% will be made on sale
•Any unsold work must be removed by 7pm on Saturday 20th July
•All the above information about EN PLEIN AIR is subject to change without prior notification
Running Order for the Day
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Registration, canvases stamping and security
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8.00am – 9.00am
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Advance Gate entrance to Windsor Castle
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Competition
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9.30am – 4.00pm
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Windsor Castle
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Hanging of pop-up exhibition
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4.00pm – 5.00pm
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Windsor Royal Station
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Exhibition open to public
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4.30pm – 6.30pm
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Windsor Royal Station
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Judging
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from 5.00pm
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Windsor Royal Station
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Prize Giving
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from 6.00pm
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Windsor Royal Station
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N.B. All the above information about En Plein Air 2024 is subject to change without prior notification.
Click here (or click on the thumbnail below) to view the participant information pack, including photos of the painting locations within Windsor Castle. If you have any further questions please email enpleinairwindsorandeton@hotmail.com
