From now until the end of October, Annapolitans can see some of their favorite city scenes captured "en plein air." The art, which is on display at Maryland Hall, was painted by 30 juried artists as part of the annual "Paint Annapolis" event, which took place in late September. The event was held by the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts and the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association (MAPAPA), along with other local sponsors.

What makes the art in the exhibit unique is that it was painted, as the name suggests, out in the open space. Participating artists were given three days, and a map of boundaries they had to stay within. Easels were everywhere from downtown to Eastport, capturing the sights, historic landmarks and waterfront views Annapolis is most known for.

Jane Ramsey, a juried artist from Pennsylvania, partcipated in the event for her third time. She said painting "en plein air" often adds an extra dimension to the work.

"I think what happens when you meet people is you hear stories. And then your painting starts to have a story. You find out about a boat you're painting like the one I painted yesterday and the museum curator came out and told me the whole history of the boat. It's fascinating. And that wouldn't happen in the studio," Ramsey said.

Ramsey, who does primarily plein air art says the best part about it is being outside.

"I just love the whole experience...you know the fields, the sun, even the bugs. They're bad, OK, but it's just the whole idea, experience, the breeze, the temperatures and the people you meet. It's very alive," she said.

For other artists, sharing their work with passersby is a rewarding part of the plein air experience.

"I love to meet especially kids (who) come up and are fascinated to see, you know a drawing come from kind of an idea to a painting really quickly, and that's something that gives me great satisfaction," said Ken Karlic, a juried artist from Fallston, MD.

Many of the participating artists agreed that painting alongside other talented artists was one of the best parts of the three-day event.

William Wright, of Stevenson, MD,  has participated in the event all nine years that it has been in existence. Wright said what he enjoys about the event is getting together with all the artists, talking to them and hearing their stories, and of course, painting.

"Any day I get to paint is a great day," Wright said.

The Maryland Hall exhibit, which is free to the public, features the work of these and other juried artists in its two main galleries. Also on display at Maryland Hall are two Paint Annapolis Student Shows, with work from area high school students who participated on the event's final day and work from student in Bates Middle School's Performance and Visual Arts Magnet Program. The second floor also features paintings from non-juried MAPAPA members who participated in the Dueling Brushes event on the final day of Paint Annapolis.