73 artists compete in the 2024 Birney Quick Paint event on Artist's Point
Sep 16, 2024 12:18PM ● By Content Editor
By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - September 16, 2024
If you were walking around Grand Marais last week, you may have seen numerous people painting at their easels. These outdoor painters were part of an annual tradition called Plein Air Grand Marais (PEGM). Having just finished its 22nd year, PEGM is a competition amongst various local artists that ran from September 6 - 14, presented by the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota and hosted by the Historic Cook County Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery.
One popular activity is the Birney Quick Paint, which takes place on Artist Point or surrounding areas. This event is named in honor of Birney Quick, who played a large role in bringing fine arts to Grand Marais by co-founding what is now known as the Grand Marais Art Colony.
In this (literally) quick event, the artists have 90 minutes to complete a painting. This year's Quick Paint had 73 registered, one more painter than last year's competition. To begin, staff from Historic Cook County sound an air horn, letting artists know it's time to begin. They can go anywhere in the area surrounding Artist's Point, as long as they can hear the time horn. As the painters create, spectators can move around and watch the magic unfold.
Once the 90 minutes are up, the painters are asked to bring their creations to one central spot, where the juror (this year, Brock Larson, a third-generation artist and a winner of the Plein Air Grand Marais two years in a row) will judge. Three Prizes of Exceptional Merit (POEMS) are awarded, along with a grand prize.
2024 Birney Quick Paint Winners
Want to learn more about the Birney Quick Paint? An award-winning documentary about the event is available here.
Historic Cook County staff sound an air horn alerting painters of the start and end times for the Birney Quick Paint.
Artist's Point provides a wide variety of subjects for painters.
Artist's Point provides a wide variety of subjects for painters.
Artist's Point provides a wide variety of subjects for painters.
Artist's Point provides a wide variety of subjects for painters.
Artist's Point provides a wide variety of subjects for painters.
Artist's Point provides a wide variety of subjects for painters.
Spectators enjoy this popular event as they watch the paintings come to life from start to finish.
Artists must bring their paintings up for display along the rocks for judging after the 90 minutes is up.
Artists must bring their paintings up for display along the rocks for judging after the 90 minutes is up.
Artists must bring their paintings up for display along the rocks for judging after the 90 minutes is up.
Artists must bring their paintings up for display along the rocks for judging after the 90 minutes is up.
Artists must bring their paintings up for display along the rocks for judging after the 90 minutes is up.
Brock Larson, third-generation artist and two-time winner of Plein Air Grand Marais, was the Juror for 2024 (left).
Brock Larson announces the winners for the 2024 Birney Quick Paint.
Kelly Schamberger won one of the Paintings of Exceptional Merrit awards.
Jimmy Navarro won one of the Paintings of Exception Merit awards.
MaryAnn Cleary won one of the Paintings of Exceptional Merit awards.
Gary Olson was the Grand Prize winner for the 2024 Birney Quick Paint.
