CONTEST RULES AND POLICIES

We are happy to be your hosts for the Annual Augusta Plein Air Festival.  Over the years, this festival has really grown!  From a small weekend event with 17 participants, to a 10-day festival with over 125 artists!  Due to this growth, the committee would like to highlight the important rules and policies that will enable us to keep the event running smoothly and safely for everyone.  It is important all participants read this list and call us with any questions.

Registration Required:

• Harmonie-Verein/American Legion – 5333 Hackmann Rd., open daily 8am – 6pm.
  Pick up registration packet, name badge and t-shirt when arriving at the festival.
  Canvases stamped (3-5 canvases at one time), check for posted updates.
• NOTE MAJOR CHANGE TO POLICY:
  • New in person/On-line/phone registrations will be accepted until Sunday, April 27, 2025.
• There will be no registration at paint out event locations.

CHECK FOR DAILY UPDATES – will be posted on Facebook and Website as needed

Sales:

• Artists will be required to complete a W-9 form before receiving sale payments of $600 or more.
• All sales transactions of art generated at the Festival from April 24– May 3, 2025 must be processed by the Augusta Plein Air Committee.  This includes sales on social media, at the paint outs and pop-up gallery, and throughout the festival. Failure to do so will make an artist ineligible for daily paint out competitions, along with the final judging and sale.
• The Augusta Chamber of Commerce will retain a 30% commission from all art sales and class fees.

General:

• Each artist is responsible for transporting their artwork and display materials.

          NOTE:  Legally, the Augusta Plein Air team cannot (nor can any business or host) be responsible for artwork or display materials or for the transportation of the same.

• Please keep paintings in the spirit of plein air – outdoor painting and outdoor scenes unless specifically given other instructions.

Paint Location Sites:

• Please ask permission to paint on private property (unless previously given).
• Please treat property with respect.
• Comply with directions for parking at various locations.
  • Carpool whenever possible.
  • Do not obstruct roadways.  Do not park on Hwy 94.
  • Avoid obstructing other artists’ view.
  • Leave prime parking spaces for public.

 Paint Outs:

• Your badge identifies you as a participant in the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival and is required for entry into paint outs and judging.
• Artists must check in with representative of the Augusta Plein Air Art Festival at each paint out site to participate in judging, social, and sale.
• Please observe starting times for paint outs (when specified).  Arrival time at paint out location must be no earlier than 30 minutes before official start of the paint out.
• Turn in art for judging promptly at stated times, late entries will not be accepted.
• Only art completed during the specified paint out is eligible for judging.
• Art for judging must be framed or gallery wrapped and ready to hang with wire only.
• Tickets/vouchers for socials following paint outs will be issued only to artists turning in a painting for judging.
• The sponsor will select the $500 sponsor’s choice. A judge, appointed by the Plein Air Committee, will be available to help the sponsor if the sponsor chooses.  The judge will then select the judge’s choice from the remaining paintings.
• Artists may participate in all paint outs but are eligible to win only one $500 sponsor’s choice. The exceptions are Premier Artists Paint Out at Mount Pleasant Estates & the theme painting competitions.
• Artists are eligible to win multiple Judge’s Choice awards
• After judging, please allow 30 minutes to allow public viewing and sale of art.
• Participation at paint out events is optional; artists may paint at a location of their choice at any time during the festival.
• The Premier Artist Paint Out is for winning artists of the last 5 years (2020-2024).

Judging & Final Sale:

• Each registered artist is welcome (and highly encouraged) to participate in the final sale.
• All artworks must be event-generated and authenticated (stamped).
• All artwork judged, displayed, or sold at competitions and at the Golden Ticket Gala must be generated during the 2025 event.
• Any original fine artwork piece created by the artist and completed in one of the following mediums: oil, watercolor, acrylic, or pastel may be sold in the artist’s booth at the final sale.  This can be studio pieces, or other plein air pieces.  This does NOT include prints, mugs, calendars, jewelry, etc. Only original artwork (not reproductions) may be sold.
• Previously sold (earlier during the festival) artwork is eligible for final judging, with permission from the purchaser.  Artist must plan with purchaser for delivery of such art.
• Pieces submitted for judging must be framed or gallery wrapped.
• Artists provide necessary equipment to display art:  easels, screens, tent for setup outdoors, etc. Panels (6’ x 2’) can be rented from the Festival Committee for $15 each.
• Each artist may display festival art within space assigned to them.
• If artist cannot be present the day of art sale, artist may have friend/family sell art.
• Chamber will provide cashiers & sales receipts for all sales.
• Any artwork remaining after the festival will become the property of the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce.

ACCIDENT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM

I HEREBY ASSUME ALL OF THE RISKS OF PARTICIPATING IN ANY/ALL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2022 AUGUSTA PLEIN AIR ART FESTIVAL. This includes, by way of example and not limitation, any risks that may arise from negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities being released, from dangerous or defective equipment or property owned, maintained, or controlled by them, or because of their possible liability without fault.

I certify that there are no health-related reasons or problems which preclude my participation in this activity.

I acknowledge that this Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form will be used by the event holders, sponsors, and organizers of the activity in which I may participate, and that it will govern my actions and responsibilities at said activity.

I hereby take action for myself as follows:

(A) I WAIVE, RELEASE, AND DISCHARGE from any and all liability, including but not limited to, liability arising from the negligence or fault of the entities or persons released, for personal injury, property damage, or property theft, THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES OR PERSONS: The Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce, (GACC) and/or their officers, and the activity holders, sponsors, and volunteers.

(B) INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND PROMISE NOT TO SUE the entities or persons mentioned in this paragraph from any and all liabilities or claims made as a result of participation in this activity, whether caused by the negligence of release or otherwise.

I acknowledge that GACC and their officers, or volunteers, are NOT responsible for the errors, omissions, acts, or failures to act of any party or entity conducting a specific activity on their behalf.

I understand while participating in this activity, I may be photographed. I agree to allow my photo, video, or film likeness to be used for any legitimate purpose by the activity holders, producers, sponsors, organizers, and assigns.

The Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form shall be construed broadly to provide a release and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law.

I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT AND I FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENT. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT AND I AGREE TO IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

Guest Housing Form

Waiver of Liability

This agreement releases the Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce/ Augusta Plein Air Committee from all liability relating to injuries that may occur during your stay in housing provided by the Augusta Plein Air Committee and the property owner.  By signing this agreement, I agree to hold the committee and homeowner entirely free from any liability, including financial responsibility for injuries incurred, regardless of whether injuries are caused by negligence.

I acknowledge the risks involved in voluntarily staying in provided housing.  I am financially liable and responsible for any damages that I incur during my stay.  I also acknowledge I will obey and follow all housing and safety rules of the property owner and Augusta Plein Air Committee. The committee reserves the right to remove the artist/guest from their provided housing if requested by property owner and no alternative housing will be provided by committee.