Showcase Details

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Date: October 3, 2026
Location: Historic Downtown Rome, GA (during Fiddlin’ Fest)
Entry Fee: $25
Artist Check-in & Canvas Stamping: 8:00 AM at Rome Area History Center (305 Broad Street) View Map
Painting Deadline: 12:00 PM
Questions? Kristi Kent — 706-295-5576 |  kkent@romega.us

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About the Showcase

Calling all artists—beginner to professional! This one-day plein air painting event invites you to capture the charm, color, and life of Downtown Rome as it comes alive during Fiddlin’ Fest. Artists will paint en plein air (outdoors) between 8:00 AM and noon, choosing from scenic streets, parks, bridges, and historical landmarks within the designated painting zone.

The goal: to create original art on-site using natural light and real-time inspiration!

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Painting Guidelines

• • Accepted Mediums: Oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, and pastel (oil or chalk)

• • Surface Requirements: Canvas, canvas board, or quality cover-weight art paper

• • Max Size: 12” x 16”

• • Surface Stamping: All surfaces must be blank and stamped at check-in before painting

• • Surface Limit: Up to 2 surfaces may be stamped; only 1 may be submitted for judging and sale

• • Painting Time Limit: All paintings must be started and completed on the day of the event

• • Subject Matter: Anything visible within the designated plein air painting zone

• • Map & Painting Zone: View painting zone map at View Map (pdf) 

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What to Paint

Rome offers a wide variety of inspiring views, including:

• • Town Green & Chief John Ross Pedestrian Bridge

• • Robert Redden Footbridge (“Flag Bridge”)

• • Rome Clocktower

• • Capitoline Wolf & Rome City Hall

• • Historic churches and downtown buildings

• • The DeSoto Theatre

• • Myrtle Hill Cemetery overlook
  • Active festival area on Broad Street

 Note: Artists must paint on public property within the painting zone only and must not block or set up in vendor areas or car show spaces. 

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Prizes & Awards – Total Purse: $625

• • First Place – $200

• • Second Place – $150

• • Third Place – $100

• • Honorable Mention – $50

• • Special Artist Recognitions: $100 total (Recognitions for beginner artists).

• • Ribbons awarded in all categories

Judges Panel

This year we will have a panel of three judges who are professional artists and accomplished plein air artists, who will determine the winners of the showcase. 

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Wet Paint Sale & Silent Auction

All participating artists are invited to enter their completed work into the Wet Paint Sale – Silent Auction, held outside at the festival  within the Fiddlin’ Fest area.

• •  Submission Deadline: 12:00 PM (same as judging deadline)

• •  Judging Results Announced: 1:30 PM

• •  Silent Auction Hours: 12:00 – 3:30 PM

• •  Suggested Starting Bid: $25 (with $5 increments)

• •  100% of proceeds go to the artist

     

  • Note: This year we will host the live paint sale outside,

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Parking & Restrooms

• • Closest  Parking: 3rd Ave Parking Deck, first hour free, $1/hr. Located adjacent to check-in.

• • All-Day Free Parking: Rome City Hall & Auditorium (601 Broad St) About 2.5 blocks away from check-in

• • Restrooms: Portable toilets available throughout the festival; Restroom available to artists during check-in and drop-off at Rome Area History Center

• • No Parking on Broad Street – street closed to traffic for the street festival.

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Media Use & Fine Print

By participating, artists agree to allow Georgia’s Rome Office of Tourism to use images or video of their artwork for future promotional materials. The Office reserves the right to update event details and will post any changes on the official website.