Red Brick Plein Air Festival in Aspen

The Red Brick, Aspen's non-profit community arts center, hosts the 6th year of Plein Air Festivals in Aspen. This festival celebrates the strength of Plein Air in Colorado by exclusively featuring artists who reside within the state.

Any artist 18 years or older who resides at least 50% of the year in Colorado is welcome to apply. There is no application fee. Applications must be received by March 1, 2015. Selection is through a juried process with 4-5 jurors who will select 10-15 artists based in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley (Aspen area) and an additional 10-15 artists from elsewhere in Colorado, for a total of 24-30 artists. Invitations will be sent via email no later than March 15, 2015, and artists must confirm participation by March 30, 2015.

The festival takes place August 9-15, 2015. Roaring Fork Valley artists pay a $300 event fee (no housing provided); Colorado artists pay $600 (housing provided). Event fees cover marketing, exhibition setup and staffing, a public opening reception, artist parking, and festival awards. A 20% commission applies to all sales. Artists must be present in Aspen for the majority of the week, attend the Opening Reception on Thursday, August 13th, and participate in a Quick Draw competition on Friday, August 14th. All artwork must be completed in the Aspen area during festival week, with artists asked to complete at least six paintings of varying sizes. An exhibition and sale will be held in downtown Aspen on Friday, August 14th and Saturday, August 15th. Host lodging is available at no charge for seven nights (August 9-16) for artists paying the $600 fee. Artists are responsible for their own transportation. Cash awards include Artist Choice Award (Best of Show) $1,200, Quick-Draw Competition Award $600, and Audience Choice $600.