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Wake Forest Guild of Artists
The Makery of Wake Forest
Paint the Forest Plein Air Event
PROSPECTUS
About Wake Forest
Love painting in old towns? Join us for our second annual plein air event, "Paint the Forest", in beautiful historical Wake Forest, North Carolina. Co-hosted by the Wake Forest Guild of Artists and the Makery Wake Forest, the lovely town of Wake Forest is located 20 miles north of Raleigh. The original home for 122 years of what is now Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, over 50,000 residents now call Wake Forest home.
In 1820, land was purchased in the sparsely populated area referenced as the Forest of Wake, later known as Wake Forest. The original plantation built on the land in 1821 is now the Wake Forest Historical Museum and remains the oldest building in Wake Forest.
From beautiful homes built before the Civil War to an extensive park system to a historical and thriving "downtown", Wake Forest offers the quaint, the historic, the unique, and the urban. It is a paradise of interesting subjects for our "Paint the Town" plein air event!
For more information on the history of Wake Forest and the beauty of the area, please visit Town of Wake Forest, NC (Town of Wake Forest, NC or wakeforestnc.gov) and visit the links and watch the videos of the beautiful town of Wake Forest.
PROSPECTUS
Paint the Forest, a four-day, open-enrollment plein air painting event, will occur in and around pre-determined sites of Wake Forest from Wednesday, November 5, 2025, through Saturday, November 8, 2025. An awards ceremony and reception will follow on Sunday, November 9 from 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM. This event is hosted by the Wake Forest Guild of Artists and The Makery Wake Forest, NC at 317 E. Roosevelt Ave. The event’s aim is to increase awareness of the plein air movement, encourage regional artists to visit and explore the area, and to promote these artists’ works. Following four full days painting "en plein air," artists are invited to display their completed works at the "Wet Paint" Art Show & Sale on Sunday, November 9, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at The Makery in Wake Forest. Collectors and the public are invited to attend this impressive display of Plein Air paintings to both view and purchase works highlighting the uniqueness of Wake Forest and surrounding areas.
All art submitted to the show must be for sale and will be entered into the judged plein air painting competition. We will be awarding First, Second, and Third Place awards, along with Honorable Mentions. We are thrilled to announce that our judge for the plein air competition will be nationally recognized artist, Jean Grunewald.
Registration is limited to the first 75 artists. This will fill quickly so please don’t delay registering.
New for this year: We added a “Paint on Saturday Only” registration!!
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION THROUGH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2025
Full 4 Day Painting -Wednesday November 5, - Saturday November 8
✓ $45 WFGA Member participants
✓ $55 Non-WFGA participants
LATE REGISTRATION October 27, 2025-November 4, 2025
✓ $55 WFGA Member participants
✓ $65 Non-WFGA Members
Walk Ins on Days of Events (Except Saturday Painting Pass)
✓ $75
“PAINT ON SATURDAY ONLY” (CHECK IN AND PAINTING)
✓ $25
Registration is a 2-step process: One link for artist information and a separate link for payment . You will not be registered until payment is completed
Cancelation policy
No refunds THIS IS A RAIN OR SHINE EVENT
Registered artists can check-in at The Makery during the following times:
Wednesday -- November 5 -- 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday -- November 6 -- 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday -- November 7 -- 9 AM - 5PM
Saturday -- November 8 -- 8 AM - 6 PM
Reception -- November 9 -- 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Last Day on Display -- January 21, 2026
Pickup -- January 22-24, 2026 -- 11 AM – 4 PM
COMPLETED FRAMED, WIRED PAININGS MAY BE DROPPED OFF DURING OPEN HOURS LISTED ABOVE BUT NO LATER THAN 6 PM ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8.
Artwork will not be accepted after 6PM November 8.
● Paintings must be done using a two-dimensional medium including oils, acrylics, watercolor, gouache, ink, mixed media, charcoal, or pastels.
● All paintings must be done “en plein air” outside, in natural lighting during the time frame of the event.
● NEW FOR 2025- ARTISTS MAY PAINT ANYWHERE IN THE WAKE FOREST DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINEMENT AREA and most Town of Wake Forest Parks DENOTED IN YOUR PAINT THE FOREST MAP
Artists may stamp an unlimited number of canvases but are limited to two pieces maximum for the Wet Paint Show and Sale and awards. Artists may paint at a variety of locations of their choosing within the area denoted in the Paint the Forest Map. There will be several private gardens available with a limit on the number of artists. First come first served, so we recommend an early check-in.
● Canvases must be free of images prior to stamping, though a solid base coat of paint is allowed.
● Each artist may submit 2 framed and wired paintings. Painting size limit is 320 sq inches or 16” x 20” (for example), WITHOUT the frame.
● All work is to be wired for hanging and framed with an open back to facilitate viewing of the event stamp on the back. No unframed gallery wrapped canvas less than 1 inch thick will be accepted. No sawtooth hangers. No exceptions will be made.
● All work must be turned in with completed paperwork by 6 PM, Saturday November 8.
● A 30% commission (Reduced Commission from 2024!) on all artwork sold will be retained by The Makery, with a portion donated to The Boys and Girls Club of Wake Forest Art Program .
● All SOLD and unsold artwork will remain in the show through January 22-24, 2026. Buyers will make arrangements directly with The Makery.
● Payment to artists for awards and artwork sold will be mailed within 30 days of the event ending. If the artist returns to The Makery to pick up any remaining unsold work, a check for any sold work will be provided at that time.
Any "off the easel" sales during the event, artists will agree to make a donation to Wake Forest Guild of Artists Community Outreach Fund comparable to the event commission. Those sold pieces will not be eligible to be part of the Wet Paint Show or awards, but artists may submit two other unsold pieces completed during the event
● Any unsold art will remain on display and for sale through the end of the show, ending on January 21, 2026. It is the responsibility of the artist to pick up unsold work by January 24, 2026. (See artwork pickup requirements below).
● Any unsold work not picked up by January 25, 2026, will become the property of The Makery
● Pastel and watercolor artists are encouraged to use UV or museum non-glare glass. Standard picture glass creates harsh glares which make it difficult for potential buyers to clearly see the art.
● All work must be turned in with paperwork no later than 6 PM, Saturday, November 8, 2025. Art may be turned in earlier DURING THE MAKERY’S NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS
● ALL ART MUST BE FRAMED + wired for hanging. Please frame all artwork, install hanging wire, and complete paperwork in advance of drop off to expedite the drop off process. A small area will be provided at The Makery to accommodate those requiring space to frame and wire their work. Gallery wrapped canvases thicker than 1 inch will be accepted, but must be painted to match the scene
● November 9th 1:30 PM - PM- 3:30 PM
Reception and Awards Announced- Public will be invited
○ First Place $ 250
○ Second Place $ 200
○ Third Place $150
○ Honorable Mentions
○ All award winners’ artworks will be placed on our social media pages.
This year’s judge will be nationally and internationally recognized artist, Jean Grunewald
Jean has received multiple top awards from highly prestigious art organizations. Most recently, Exceptional Merit Award in the APS International Exhibition, First Place in MAPS, and numerous top awards in many other national and regional exhibitions. Jean is a founding member of PaintNC, a regional plein air group. You can learn more about Jean and her art by visiting https:www.jeangrunewald.com
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE MARKETING PLAN HAS BEEN DEVELOPED FOR THIS YEAR’S
PAINT THE FOREST
Media kit will be available for all registered artists
Social Media promotions for every participating artist
Personalized invitations to VIP guests
Advertisement in Magazine 27587
Artwork will remain on display through January 21, 2025
What to Bring
□ Canvas/paper: Keep in mind sizing for your plein air framing. 16 x 20 (For example) not including frame is the maximum size.
□ Frames, screws, wire: All pieces for the show/sale must be wired to hang (no sawtooth hangers) Stamps should be visible on the back of the artwork. Please use open-back frames.
□ Paint and palettes
□ Brushes, paints, pastels, pencils, knives, etc.
□ Rain Gear
□ Sun protection
□ Sturdy shoes
□ Easel, tripod, umbrella, chair, etc.
□ Paper towels as well as bags for trash - LEAVE your area as you found it!
□ Bulldog clips, tape, bungees
□ Brush washing solvents or water and containers
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER!!!
Last Day to register for Early Bird Pricing is October 26, 2025
Plein Air Event Check-in (Four Day Entry Pass Only)
Wednesday, November 5, 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday, November 6, 9 AM - 5 PM
Friday, November 7, 9AM - 5 PM
Saturday Paint Pass 8AM – 6 PM
Dropoff Completed Plein Air work-- Hours listed above
No later than November 8th at 6 PM
Reception and awards -- Sunday November 9, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
All artwork pick up -- January 22-January 24, 2026
Artwork becomes property of The Makery -- January 25, 2026
Questions? wfgapleinair@gmail.com
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