In an annual tradition for the Frank Bette Center for the Arts (FBCA) now in its 12th year, 40 selected artists will take part in a coordinated effort to paint outdoors in Alameda. The artists will paint for five days straight, Monday through Friday. They come from all parts of California, and the U.S. to paint Alameda’s historic residential and commerical architecture, tree-lined streets, parks, beaches, marinas, the San Francisco skyline and the port and hills of Oakland.

The event begins Wednesday, Aug. 2, with the Quick Draw Competition. Artists have two and a half hours to create works, and afterwards the paintings will be offered for sale in the back yard at FBCA, 1601 Paru St. 

This year for the quick draw, artists will paint on Grand Street from the bay to the estuary, and on two blocks either side of Grand including Franklin Park. 

The artists pick the best painting of the day and the winning artist is awarded the “Artist’s Choice Award” at an award ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 5. 

To find out more about FBCA and the Plein Aire Paintout, visit www.frankbettecenter.org or call 523-6957.