Red Brick Roads Paint Out enters second year

By Sherry Lucas

The deadline is fast approaching to sign up for the 2nd Annual Red Brick Roads Paint Out 2026.

The event, hosted by Wyatt Waters Gallery, adds an arty element to the Red Brick Brick Roads Music and Arts Festival, which moved to March last year. Artists painting en plein air on festival grounds and in the festival vicinity highlighted the event’s full-circle celebration of creativity.

The Red Brick Roads Music and Arts Festival, a joint production of Main Street Clinton, Clinton Chamber of Commerce and City of Clinton, is March 26-28.

Registration to participate in the Paint Out continues through March 15. The $90 fee includes a weekend pass to the festival and hospitality access to the gallery, located within the festival grounds in Olde Towne, as well as a swag bag and Saturday lunch during the Paint Out. Artist companions can buy a festival ticket at the gate and a hospitality pass at the gallery.

The 2025 debut of the Red Brick Roads Paint Out saw 33 painters capturing scenes on site.

Registration is open for the Red Brick Roads Paint Out and includes a festival weekend ticket and hospitality pass, along with a swag bag and lunch on Saturday.

“I don’t know if it could have gone any better,” Paint Out organizer Kristi Waters said. Painters from across the state, as well as Louisiana and Alabama, came last year.

This year, the Paint Out opens up to Friday as well as Saturday, March 27-28, and the gallery adjusted exhibit space to accommodate more paintings. A couple of artists painted more than one work last year, and this year’s extended timeframe may prompt more participating artists to do the same.

The vibe is festive and relaxed, highlighting camaraderie among artists, not competition. There is a People’s Choice component, however, to engage the public with the event.

“Painting really is a solitary thing, for the most part,” artist/gallery owner Wyatt Waters said. “You spend a lot of time by yourself.”

Painting groups are often based in workshops, with an instructor sharing ideas. That’s great, but the Paint Out is different, Waters said.

“This is mostly about getting people together who do the same thing, and they can share ideas with each other.”

Artists may enter in the Student, Amateur or Advanced category. Artists will have the opportunity to sell their works at the festival.

Find details, the Paint Out weekend schedule and more via a link on the Red Brick Roads festival website, www.RedBrickRoads.com.

Artists’ works will be on display for the public during the Red Brick Roads Arts and Music Festival.