The call has already gone out. Sandy Kreisman, executive director of the Akron Area Arts Alliance, has asked interested artists who want to participate in this year’s plein air competition to come to Summit Artspace, a Knight Arts grantee, on June 26-27 for registration and stamping in order to be in the competition for “Streetscapes: Akron in Plein Air,” an exhibit which will open on July 5.

After the registration process, contestants are to take to the streets and begin painting the urban landscape before them and turn in their works between 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, June 29 for the jurying process.

“En plein air” is a French expression which means “in the open air” and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors, which is also called “peinture sur le motif” (or “painting on the ground”). One mostly associates the technique with landscapes or rural settings, but not in the Akron area. Through an idea of artist Brian Shellito, the Akron take on this subject is the urban scene. It has worked so well that this year’s competition is part of an ongoing tradition.

For artists, it has other meanings – like prize money for work well done. There will be a $500 grand prize, with $300 for second place and $100 for third. The exhibition of works featuring these winners will be on view through August 16 with the awards reception and meet the artist gathering taking place on Friday, July 11 at 6 p.m.after the display has already opened.

Summit Artspace seems to keep the competition fresh by having a new twist or angle on the annual event. This year there will be a noted graphic artist and designer, Laurence Channing, as the judge for the competition.

Laurence Channing, artist and judge for “Streetscapes: Akron in Plein Air.” Photo from www.clevelandart.org

Organizers have noted that Channing received his BFA and MFA from Yale University. His work has included graphic and exhibition design for major art museums, and from 1985 to 2009 he served as Head of Publications at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Channing is well known in Ohio and has received accolades for his work. He has, for example, been given awards by the Ohio Arts Council Fellowships in 1990, 1998 and 2003, and the prestigious Cleveland Arts Prize in 2000. He also has been the recipient of a Creative Workforce Fellowship from the Cuyahoga County Community Partnership for Arts and Culture in 2009.

An urban artist himself, Channing has been noted by Jill Snyder, Director of Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland, as “a chronicler of Cleveland’s distinctive architectural character,” whereby he has created “compelling charcoal landscapes of streets, bridges and commercial buildings.” That’s the stuff of the Akron contest; he should be well suited to serve as judge of the event.

“Streetscapes: Akron in Plein Air” will be on view is on display from 12-9 p.m. on Thursdays and 12-5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from July 5-August 16 at Summit Artspace, 140 E. Market St., Akron; 330-376-8480; www.akronareaarts.org. Admission is free.