TROY, PA (WENY) -- The Susquehanna Summer Solstice Festival's 'Plein-Air Painting Competition' is underway and artists were out and about in the Northern Tier on Wednesday. Over 20 artists from the Twin Tiers and beyond participated in the 'Paint Troy Day' to draw different sites around town.

"What I’m encouraging is for everyone to see the beauty of Troy. Troy is a charming town and it has a lot to offer. [Artists] will be painting whatever they see. [There are] some in the back alley, at the churches, whatever they see, they set up," said Vice President of the Troy Chamber of Commerce, Charlie Earle.

People came from near and far to participate in the 'Plein-Air Painting Competition.' Plein air painting is a technique where artists paint outside, capturing the natural light, colors, and atmosphere around them. Those who painted on Wednesday said it would only take them a couple of hours to complete their work.

"This is my first time in Troy, and they were talking about doing some historical buildings, historical sites... I enjoyed this view with the clock building and its architectural features. I like the red building against the green mountainous background and a little bit of the rainy sky behind it," said Artist Susan Benigni Landis.

 Another artist set up his canvas on West Main Street simply because it was in the shade and he said it didn't seem too hard to paint.

"I’m happy to speak to people. I’ve painted pretty much all over. People are kind, you never know, they might just buy a painting. It’s always a nice thing when that happens," said Artist, Lewallace Howard III.

This is the first 'Paint Troy Day' and one organizer said they're happy to have so many artists participate.

"It’s to bring out the historic nature of the town because the towns we go to have a lot of history. There’s wonderful architecture in Wyalusing, Towanda, [and] now Troy. The beauty of the landscape surrounding it is an important part of it, with an environmental aspect of protecting our history and traditions," said the Artistic Director and Founder of the Susquehanna Summer Solstice Festival, Brian Keeler.

Judging and awards for the art competition will be held at the French Azilum Historic Site on Queens Road on Friday, June 20th at 3:30 p.m. The Susquehanna Summer Solstice Festival goes until Sunday, June 22nd.