They travel with palettes and paints, canvases and brushes, and this weekend these artists will be scattered throughout downtown Washington during the inaugural Plein Aire on the Pamlico Festival.

Staring Thursday, artists will check in at Arts of the Pamlico, then stake out their locations in the historic district, anywhere in the area between Water Street and Second Street, from Hackney Avenue to the Washington Park bridge, according to Thad Aley, Arts of the Pamlico’s events and exhibits coordinator.

“The artists are allowed to pick a spot anywhere along that region,” Aley said. “They have to come with fresh palettes — nothing can be drawn out.”

Plein aire is the art of painting outside. There, artists are surrounded by the elements they then transfer to canvas, capturing the essence of light and shadow, of movement and texture that’s not always apparent in a photograph. Light and color reflecting on local waterways has long been a draw for plein aire painters. This weekend, the colorful crowds of the Washington Summer Festival on the waterfront might draw some artists’ attention, as well.

Plein Aire on the Pamlico was spearheaded by a number of local artists and gallery owners — Contemporary Art Exchange’s Tina Jandrow, Colleen Knight with River Walk Gallery and Arts Center, AOP executive director Debra Torrence and the collective Washington Harbor District Arts Stops. Arts of the Pamlico’s Turnage Theatre has become the home base for the event, Aley said.

Artists can register Thursday, Friday or even Saturday at the theater. There’s no requirement as to how many days artists participate before turning in their paintings Saturday afternoon for a show juried by contemporary impressionist Dan Beck, the gold medal recipient of the 2017 Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional Exhibition. In fact, outside of registration, there are few requirements to participate, according to Aley.

“The only requirements are that it has to be plein aire painted, and it has to be within our boundaries and newly painted for this exhibit,” Aley said.

The results will be turned in from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday; from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the work will be judged. Then the public is invited to a “wet paint” sale and reception from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., where artists’ work will be displayed.

For their efforts, three cash prizes will be awarded to winning artists: $300 for first place; $200 for second; and $100 for third. The Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce will have its own special prize, awarding up to $750 to one artist who captures the spirit of the Summer Festival.

For more information, visit www.artsofthepamlico.org