All'Aperto Quick Draw at L'Italia Festival 2025

All'Aperto Quick Draw

co-hosted by the Mount Gretna School of Art

Artists are invited to Lititz Spring Park on September 13th, 2025 to participate in a juried 'quick draw' event. Registration is free and open to all members of the public of all ages and experience levels.

Artists are free to use any 2-dimensional medium to depict their chosen subject(s) and may submit up to three separate works to the jury. The key stipulation is that all work be produced from direct on-site observation "En Plein Air" within the given timeframe.

PRIZES

awarded by event juror, Dorothy Frey:

• Best in Show: $1000
• First place: $750
• Second Place: $500
• Third Place: $250
• Best Drawing Prize: $250
• Honorable Mention(s): ~$50 value

awarded by the Keystone Italian Project:

• Spirit of L'Italia Prize: $150

***More prizes to be announced: stay tuned***

REGULATIONS

Artists are invited to create 2-dimensional artwork(s) using any base material (e.g. canvas, board, paper) and any medium (e.g. oils, acrylics, watercolors, graphite, ink, charcoal). Each work must be completed within a 2-hour window during L'Italia Festival "En Plein Air" from direct on-site observation. Artists are expected to work by hand, without digital means.

All artists who register in the 'ages 18+' category will be eligible for cash prizes. There will be other awards and giveaways to recognize talent in the '13 to 17-year-old' category. Children, ages 6-12, are invited to participate in Quick Draw Art Workshops at 10:00 and 12:00, led by The Demuth Foundation.

All Artwork will be made available for purchase at the price chosen by the Artist. Each Artist is responsible for matting and packaging their own work to facilitate hanging on display walls. A 30% commission will be collected to benefit the Keystone Italian Project, a 501(c)3 organization based in Lititz, PA. The PA Sales Tax of 6% will be added to all sales.

The Keystone Italian Project may use images from this event for promotional purposes in print and digital media. However, Artists retain the exclusive right to sell prints of any work they produce.

Please note: This information is subject to change. We will do our best to inform applicants of any changes.

Info: Artist check-in at the Quick Draw stand located next to the Reedy Pavilion in Lititz Springs Park. This is where blank canvases will be stamped.

Info: Artists are free to draw/paint for up to 2-hours per work in the location(s) of their choosing

Info: Each work must be delivered to the Quick Draw stand within 2-hrs of being stamped (and no later than 2:00pm) for display and judging

Info: Prize winners will be announced on the Main Stage. Artists are dismissed.

Info: All works to remain on display until the end of L'Italia Festival.

Info: At 5:00pm, all artwork will be carefully transported to Beccafico to be displayed at L'Italia Gala on Sunday 9/14. If any artwork remains unsold by the end of L'Italia Gala, it will be made available for pickup in Lititz from Monday thru Saturday of the following week.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Lititz Springs Park, 24 North Broad Street, Lititz, United States