The State Fair of Virginia and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts are proud to partner and "Paint the Fair"! Up to fifteen plein air artists are invited to paint the fair on Saturday, September 26th! Registration is required and must be completed by September 19, 2026. Registered artists receive free admission to the fair and can paint midway rides, games, animals, giant pumpkins etc. The top three award winners will donate their work to be auctioned at the fair's Boots and Blue Ribbon Fundraiser on October 1, 2026. All artwork will remain on display in Meadow Hall throughout the 2026 State Fair.

Awards
First Place - $100, Blue Ribbon and a VMFA Family Membership
Second Place - $75, Red Ribbon and a VMFA Family Membership
Third Place - $50, Yellow Ribbon and a VMFA Family Membership

REGISTRATION LINK FOR PLEIN AIR ARTISTS

VMFA on the Road will visit the fair September 25-27, inviting fair attendees to experience art from the VMFA collection.

About VMFA on the Road

VMFA on the Road brings art from the collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to every corner of Virginia. A traveling state-of-the-art, climate-controlled trailer equipped with Wi-Fi and interactive components travels to stops selected from among the museum’s Statewide Partners program, which includes 1,000 locations, from community centers and small museums to colleges and universities.