Paint Out Norwich is a juried two-day en plein air fine arts competition highlighting seven iconic Norwich city venues. In October 2014 a jury selected 31 artists who created over 120 paintings, drawings and screenprints of the cityscape en plein air in full view of the public during four, three-hour sessions. On the second day of the event a panel of experts selected three winning works of art, which were auctioned by TW Gaze of Diss during a sold-out ticketed gala held in the Weston Room of Norwich Cathedral. The artworks were exhibited in the Norwich Cathedral Hostry until November as part of the 2014 Hostry Festival.
Paint Out Norwich aims to engage the public with artists who practice working outdoors and celebrate the rich history of Plein Air in Norfolk. All work produced over the two days was judged by a panel including Trevor Chamberlain ROI, RSMA; Amanda Geitner, Head of Collections and Exhibitions, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia; and internationally renowned artist Colin Self. Artists were stationed in and around Norwich Castle, Norwich Cathedral, St. John’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Pull’s Ferry, Elm Hill, Norwich Market, and the Forum. A location map was created to help the public observe and interact with the artists at work. Members of the public were encouraged to visit the artists, select their favourite, and register a vote online for the ‘People’s Choice Award’.
The competition was a huge success for the participating artists, the public, and Norwich.