We are seeking 4-5 artists with a plein air practice for a paid audience facing role as part of Delamore Arts 2026.

Plein Air at Delamore will be a weekend-long event that will open this year’s exhibition in the grounds of Delamore Estate, falling on the first May bank holiday weekend.

Commissioned artists will be invited to create work in Delamore’s grounds for the first two days of the event and will then be invited to compete in the final professional’s day.

Role

Commissioned artists will paint on location, engaging with audiences about their practice and being a part of the events activity for the bank holiday weekend.

Each painter will also hold a 1-2 hour session along the lines of a demonstration, paint along, technique workshop (their choosing) that audiences will be able to join for.

We are seeking a diverse range of practices that demonstrate the breadth of plein air/open air creative processes, from the more traditional association with oil and watercolour, through to digital, urban, printmaking and other media.

Professionals Competition

On Day 3, the final day of the event, there will also be a professional’s competition with guest judges and cash prizes.

There will be a fee for competing artists to set up for the day, but our commissioned artists will be given free entry to compete, and we would very much like them to join for this element.

Event Timings

The event will run from May 2nd to 4th.

Day 1 Saturday 2nd, Delamore Live:

Artists in Action: No other painters on site, audiences will explore Delamore’s exhibitions and grounds and will be invited to observe and engage with our commissioned painters.

Day 2 Sunday 3rd, Delamore Creates:

Bring a Brush and Have a Go: Families and painters will be invited to come to Delamore and get involved, painting in the grounds. 

Day 3 Monday 4th, The Delamore Open:

The Open Air Art Competition: A competitive judged paint off day. All commissioned artists are invited to participate with no fee.

Delamore’s opening times are 10:30-16:30 and we request your activity is for the full duration of these times excluding comfort breaks and a 45-minute lunch break. Delamore staff will be available throughout the day to support in any setup, securing of equipment and other reasonable requests.

Fee

Each commissioned artist will receive a fee of £180.00 (total) plus reasonable travel expenses. You will also receive a soup lunch from the Delamore café (day 1 only).

Selection

We will select artists to create a diverse and engaging event with a focus on different practices, styles and activity. We will also need to see evidence of sufficient experience painting on location and engaging with audiences.

Other Terms

1. Sales, Display, and Commission

• Works produced across the two days may be requested for display during the month of May. These works can be displayed either commercially or Not For Sale (NFS) at the artist's discretion. If displayed commercially, works will be subject to Delamore’s standard commission fee of 35%.
• It is acceptable to take commercial enquiries for the works you’re producing on the day. However, works cannot be taken away until Delamore has had first refusal to display them for the duration of the exhibition.
• Any sales agreed upon or facilitated on Delamore grounds during the event will incur Delamore’s standard commission fee of 35%.

2. On-Site Conduct and Safety

• Artists must respect the Delamore grounds. There is absolutely no disposal of paint water, solvents, or materials into the grounds, bushes, or drains.
• We understand that some mess is a natural part of the creative process. However, where the use of messy materials is excessive, artists must take suitable protective steps (e.g., using drop-cloths) to prevent overspray or spills onto grass, trees, or historic stonework. Any hazardous materials or tools must be approved by the organiser.
• No mains electricity will be provided on the grounds. Artists using digital devices or other makers must ensure all tools and devices are hand-operated or strictly battery-powered.

3. Marketing and Promotion

• Commissioned artists will be required to participate in all marketing and promotion in the build-up to, and during, the event, including contributing to press interviews.
• By participating, artists grant Delamore the right to photograph them and their artwork during the event for future marketing, promotional, and social media purposes.
• Artists may verbally promote their practice and hand out business cards to audiences. You may also display sketchbooks or examples of your practice to help illustrate your process.
• To prevent litter and maintain the visual aesthetic of the grounds, flyers, unauthorized banners, and independent signage are strictly prohibited.

4. Logistics and Liability

• Delamore staff will be on hand to assist throughout the day, but you may request free entry for a support volunteer to assist you. Unfortunately, we cannot provide lunch for support volunteers.
• Reasonable travel expenses are determined at the discretion of the organiser.
• Delamore accepts no liability for loss, theft, or damage to any artwork, equipment, or personal belongings, nor for any personal injury sustained during the event. Artists participate at their own risk.
• Artists will be asked to confirm in writing that they hold all relevant public liability insurance for delivering this type of activity (we recommend https://www.a-n.co.uk/).
• Failure to comply with any of the above rules, terms, or reasonable requests from Delamore staff may result in termination of your contract.