Alpharetta, Georgia – For five days this fall, Alpharetta will become more than a backdrop for artists. Its streets, parks, buildings and public spaces will become the subject itself, with painters working outdoors and capturing the city as they see it in real time.
The City of Alpharetta is inviting artists to take part in Paint the Town 2026, the sixth annual plein air painting competition scheduled for October 20-24. The event is hosted by Arts Alpharetta in partnership with the City of Alpharetta and the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Artists participating in the competition will work outside throughout Alpharetta, using local architecture, parks, gathering places, streets and everyday scenes as inspiration.
Registration is already open, and artists who sign up by October 1 will receive the lowest full-event rate of $45. Late registration increases to $75 from October 2-10, while registration from October 11-20 rises to $100.
Artists can register online here or review the complete open call for artists.
Several individual activities are also planned. Art in the Dark, available for a $35 entry fee, is scheduled for evenings from October 20-23 from 6 p.m. until sundown. A Quick Draw competition, also priced at $35, will take place October 23 from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by judging at 11:30 a.m. at Town Green at City Center.
The week will lead into the final art delivery deadline at 10:30 a.m. October 24, followed by an awards ceremony and exhibition reception from 5 to 7 p.m.
Artwork from the competition is expected to remain on display from October 24 through November 14, with an art removal deadline of November 16.
Full-week registration includes competition activities but does not include the Artists’ Welcome and Networking Dinner at Smokejack BBQ, which carries a separate $30 fee. Additional competition information is available at https://bit.ly/4xDz0Jt.
Artist check-in will take place at the Alpharetta Arts Center, 238 Canton Street. Questions can also be directed to Arts Alpharetta at 404-834-1147 or [email protected].
