Julie Highlen participates in a previous Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival hosted by the Lake Superior Art Association. (Photo courtesy of LSAA)

MARQUETTE — The Lake Superior Art Association’s summer painting competition has $2,500 worth of awards and prizes for artists who participate — and registration is open.

The event, titled the Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival, will wrap up Marquette’s Art Week in late June.

“We give out seven monetary prizes: first, second and third place for both the professional and novice divisions and (a) people’s choice award,” said Marlene Wood, organizer of the event. “These awards range from $100 to $500. We also give out ‘door prize’ awards to our artists.”

Artists can choose either or both painting categories to compete in — Dusk to Dark and daylight All-Day.

The dusk to dark session will be held 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 28. According to a brochure for the event, the focus should be placed on “capturing the evening light, sunset (and) nighttime cityscapes.”

The daylight session will be held the following day from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Daylight painters may go anywhere in historic Marquette or along the Lake Superior shoreline.

All participants must be 18 years or older, paintings must be made outside and on-site, and canvases need to be registered prior to the competition start.

“Artists may paint in any style or medium they prefer,” Wood said. “The key is to paint anywhere within the historical Marquette area and along our beautiful Lake Superior shoreline.”

After paintings are done, there will be an awards ceremony, reception and a public exhibit with some works marked for sale. There is an optional event on that Sunday where all are open to paint and socialize at Provisions MQT.

Prospective attendees are recommended to preregister for the competition as ticket prices will be more expensive when purchased the day of the event. Preregistration for professional/advanced artists is $25 or $30 the day of, while novice, intermediate or recreational artists will pay $15 for preregistration or $20 the day of.

Questions should be directed to Wood at posstroke@sbcglobal.net.