A Plein Air Artist Musing at the Sandhills Motoring Expo in the Village of Pinehurst
- Pat McBride
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
What a beautiful setting — the Village breathed around me, a pocket of Carolina sunlight and old brick, as a procession of automotive masterpieces lined our little streets. Cars arrived like guests at a grand salon: some polished to mirror-bright, some whispering stories in worn leather and patina. They came from near and far, but for a few golden hours, they all seemed to belong to Pinehurst.
One automobile stopped my breath: a 1949 Delahaye 135 MS, with a flowing silhouette and liquid chrome. It didn’t so much sit on the pavement as float above it, a sculpture of speed and serenity. As I set up my easel for a quick plein air study, the world folded inward — there was a hush, a small time warp that made me wonder if this very car had once threaded these same lanes in another life.
When the Delahaye took BEST IN SHOW, the applause felt like the whole village exhaling. I left with paint under my nails and the little thrill of having been witness to something rare: beauty recognized.
Dates: May 22–24, 2026 — Village of Pinehurst, NC
Concours in the Village (Sun, May 24): 120+ hand-picked automobiles displayed on the streets; free to spectate; French judging for Best in Class and Sandhills Awards
Airplanes & Automobiles (Sat, May 23): Cars and aircraft displayed on the Moore County Airport ramp
Hangar Soirée (Sat, May 23): Evening dinner event in the main hangar with exotic cars and vintage planes
Road Rally (Sat, May 23): Competitive navigational drive starting at the Pine Crest Inn through scenic Moore County back roads
Block Party (Fri, May 22): Kick-off at the Pine Crest Inn with live music, car show, and outdoor cookout
Artisan Tour (Sat, May 23): Car show and tour at Starworks in Star, NC highlighting glass, ceramics, and metalworking
Charity impact: Proceeds support the Sandhills Motoring Festival Endowment at Sandhills Community College and local causes, including the FirstHealth Foundation Cancer Center
I’m already counting the days until May 22nd—will luck or serendipity let me spot the winner again? Perhaps. Either way, I’ll return with my easel and an eager eye for beauty.
See you in the Village.
~Pat
Comments