The 10th annual Carmel on Canvas plein air event was held Sept. 13 and 14 and featured artists in an open-air painting exhibition and competition which took place on the sidewalks throughout the city’s central corridor.
“This year was the 10th year for Carmel on Canvas,” said Laura Campbell, who chairs the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Arts and served as emcee of the plein air competition. “I want to congratulate the winners and thank all of the participants for helping us to make this annual event one of the best of its kind in the country. It’s always exciting to see the city through the eyes of such talented artists.”
The Carmel on Canvas plein air event hosted 80 highly acclaimed artists from the Midwest and beyond. The artists competed in a variety of plein air contests during the two-day event, registering in a division that matched their skill or age level; professional, non-professional, teen, and children. Chicago-based plein air and impressionist artist Kathleen Newman, was this year’s judge.
On Saturday morning, a Quick Paint competition took place at the Carmel Farmers Market at Carter Green. Winners of that contest were selected by market visitors. The awards for the 2024 Carmel on Canvas are as follows:
Professional division
- Grand Prize/Best of Show ($3,000): David Voelpel, Indianapolis
- 2nd Place ($2,000): Jason Bailey, Paducah, Ky.
- 3rd Place ($1,500): Donna Shortt, Indianapolis
- 4th Place ($1,000): Mary Ann Davis, Indianapolis
(From left) Judge Kathleen Newman with David Voelpel, Jason Bailey, and Donna Shortt. (Photos provided by City of Carmel)
Merit winners
- Thomas Hinsel, Brownsburg, Ind.
- Carleen Rivera, Munster, Ind.
- Autumn Hunt, Carmel
- Anna Afshar, Fishers
- Greg Hagen, Brazil, Ind.
- Melanie Wissel, Carmel
- Roxanne Larson, Carmel
- Emily Winslow, Indianapolis
- David Seward, Zionsville
- Melinda Spear-Huff, Sheridan
Non-professional division
- 1st Place, Charles McNally, Carmel
- 2nd Place, Sepideh Motevasel, Indianapolis
- 3rd Place, Alexis Hahn, Fishers
Merit Winners
- Bill Bernard, Carmel
- Ruth Williams, Noblesville
Teen division
- 1st Place, Ella Guo, Carmel
- 2nd Place, Megan Xia, Carmel
- 3rd Place, Sejal Kareti, Carmel
Children’s division
- Merit Winner, Julie Cao, Carmel
- Merit Winner, Saanvi Trivedi, Carmel
Quick paint
- 1st Place, Tammie Dickerson, Belton, Mo.
- 2nd Place, Anna Afshar, Fishers
- 3rd Place, Rachel Dowd, Spencerville, Ind.
Purchase awards
Carmel on Canvas artists have the opportunity to compete for Purchase Awards by painting the sponsoring business’ establishment and winning the listed monetary prize. Purchase Awards paintings are not included in the Plein Air Paint Out. Congratulations to the artists listed below with the participating businesses.
- Box Market ($500): Donna Shortt, Indianapolis
- Goodness Gracious Kitchen & Cupboard ($300): Anna Afshar, Fishers
- Hotel Carmichael ($300): Brad Fields, Fishers
- Indiana Design Center ($300): Roxanne Larson, Carmel