Step into the heart of America's premier plein air festival. The Plein Air Easton podcast takes you behind the easel and into the vibrant world of painters, collectors, judges, and volunteers who bring this celebration of art to life on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

This episode, Avalon Media Manager Cecile Davis roams the streets of Oxford, capturing candid conversations with award‑winning artists as they chase light, weather sudden rainstorms, wrestle with when a painting is "done," and share how their styles evolve over time. You'll also hear from a passionate collector and longtime supporter who reveals what draws them to a painting, how they build meaningful collections, and why relationships with artists matter.

Whether you're:

• A lifelong collector looking for insight into the art and artists you love
• An aspiring painter eager to learn from top plein air artists in the field
• Or an art lover discovering Plein Air Easton for the first time

…this podcast will deepen your appreciation for the creative process and the community that supports it.

Plein Air Easton is produced by the Avalon Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the cultural life of Maryland's Eastern Shore through the arts.

What separates a good painting from a winning one? In this fascinating conversation, renowned curator and Plein Air Easton judge Mary Morton pulls back the curtain on the jurying process, offering a rare look at how she evaluates hundreds of works and ultimately selects award-winning paintings. Drawing on her years of experience at some of the nation's leading art institutions, Morton discusses the qualities that capture her attention, the common traits shared by exceptional plein air paintings, and the subtle decisions that distinguish finalists from first-place winners. Whether you're an artist hoping to better understand the judging process or an art lover curious about what makes a painting truly stand out, this episode provides invaluable insight into the eye, expertise, and intuition behind choosing the best work in the field.

Go behind the easel with celebrated painter and educator Eric Santoli on the latest episode of the Plein Air Easton Podcast. Hosts Tim and Marie sit down with Eric for a lively conversation about his life on the road, the inspiration behind his Eric En Plein Air PBS series, and the artistic journey that shaped him into one of today's most exciting plein air voices. From studying at the University of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to living and painting at Claude Monet's House and Gardens as a Munn Fellow Artist-in-Residence, Eric shares the origin story behind his passion for outdoor painting, teaching, and adventure. It's an inspiring listen full of travel tales, career insight, and the spontaneous energy that makes plein air painting so magical.