For its 17th year, the Wet Paint Festival will be coming to Setauket.

This celebration of plein air painting will be held by Setauket-based Gallery North. Utilizing local painters, this festival allows Long Island residents to observe the creative process, as well as take in the artwork which will capture the natural beauty of the area.

During this year’s event, as well as last year’s, artists are invited to paint in solitude or at one of several featured locations. For those painting in public, interviews may be conducted by Gallery North staff to be released on social media.

The event will be held on two separate days, followed by a reception. The first featured public location, Frank Melville Memorial Park in Setauket will host artists on Sunday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Then, on June 12, three locations: West Meadow Beach, Old Field Farm, and Trusteed Road, all in Setauket, will host artists from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well.

On Friday, June 18, there will be a pop-up exhibition at Gallery North, featuring participating painters and their artwork. The public is invited to take in the Setauket area-inspired art in small groups. The event will take place from 3 to 7 p.m., and involves an artists’ Q&A. In case of rain, the event will be held on June 25 instead.

Gallery North’s mission, to stimulate public interest in the arts, has been going strong since its founding in 1965. You can learn more about their mission as well as the Wet Paint Festival on their website and keep up to date on their Facebook.