Paint the Town: Plein Air Painting from Dawn to Dusk

Attention Artists!

Register for a day of plein air painting followed by a celebratory reception and art sale on Saturday, September 6, 2025. All paintings must be made the day of the competition within the borders of Old Lyme, Lyme, and East Lyme. Jurying from 4:30 – 5:00 pm by artist Eileen Eder; awards presentation by 5:15. $300 first place, $200 second place, $100 third place, plus 3 Awards of Merit and a People’s Choice Award.

All paintings will be offered for sale at the Lyme Art Association during the reception. Artist receives sixty percent of the commission, LAA retains forty percent. 

Registration fee of $30 includes participation in the plein air competition and tickets for the artist and one guest at the reception. 

Art Lovers, Collectors, and Friends!

Join us at 5pm for the art show and celebratory reception! Artists will be painting throughout town, and then bringing their pieces back to the Lyme Art Association for awards, an art show, and reception. Join us from 5 – 7 pm at the Lyme Art Association for an exhibit of their work, hors d’oeuvres, and live music by Ramblin’ Dan Stevens. All art is available for purchase. 

This is a wonderful chance to meet the artists and take home artwork featuring local scenes! 

Tickets are $10. RSVP requested. 

RAIN DATE: Sunday, September 7

Pricing

Paint the Town Participating Artist:
(must be an LAA member, price includes 2 reception tickets)

$30/person

Celebration Reception Ticket: 

$10/person

Click to register and buy Tickets

Event Day Schedule:

  • On Sat., Sept. 6, participating artists set-up and paint throughout the day in and around the towns of Old Lyme, Lyme, & East Lyme. 
  • All participating artists arrive by 4 PM with finished & framed artwork to the Lyme Art Association. Artists MUST tape an exhibition tag to the back of their frame.
  • Jurying of works from 4:30 – 5:00.  Juror: Eileen Eder
  • Celebratory Reception begins at 5:00.
  • Awards presented by 5:15.
  • Artwork will be displayed for the duration of the reception. Artist receives sixty percent commission for any sales during the reception.
  • Artist registration fee includes tickets to the reception for the artist and one guest
2024 Online Gallery

Paint the Town: A Wonderful Day of Art, Community, and Celebration

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Paint the Town such a success! 

On Saturday, artists set up their easels throughout Old Lyme, Lyme, and East Lyme, capturing the spirit and beauty of our towns in a single day. Despite the threat of rain, the skies held off long enough for their creativity to shine. That evening, the Lyme Art Association hosted a lively reception where friends, neighbors, and collectors gathered to celebrate these fresh works — and seven paintings found new homes! We are grateful to the talented artists who participated and to the collectors whose enthusiasm and support keep this tradition alive.

Thank you also to Eileen Eder for jurying, and congratulations to our award winners!

Winners of 2025's Paint the Town plein air event:

  • Paul Loescher First Place
  • Stephanie Birdsall Second Place
  • Susanna DalPonte Third Place
  • Howard Park, Maura Cochran, & Lorraine Skelskey Chapin Awards of Merit
  • Lorraine Yurkewicz and Susanna DalPonte People's Choice