Art Association holds Plein Air weekend, Aug. 4-6
From staff reports
The Plein Air Weekend, organized by the Glen Arbor Art Association, has become a signature summer art event attracting plein air artists and art lovers from throughout Michigan and the Midwest. Three painting events and two art sales will highlight the paintings of over 100 artists who will paint throughout the Glen Lake area Thursday night, Friday and Saturday. Competition for a spot in the main event, Saturday’s Plein Air Paint Out, is always keen and this year’s event filled in just 90 minutes in late March.
On Thursday evening Aug. 4, the Sundowner event will find more than 50 artists painting the sunset along Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. Painting a sunset is a particular challenge as the sky changes minute by minute and the artists must work quickly to capture nature’s special effects. Paintings from the Sundowner event will be for sale at the Quick Sale on Friday, Aug. 5.
More than 40 artists have pre-registered for the Quick Draw event and can be seen painting along the meandering Crystal River from 2:30-4:30 p.m. The challenge of a Quick Draw is to complete a painting or drawing in just two hours and it is a great opportunity for the public to see artists in action. The Quick Draw event concludes with an exhibit and sale that is free and open to the public from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Glen Arbor Town Hall. The judge for the Quick Sale paintings will be Sarah Gordon. Gordon is a lecturer, curator, author and art consultant based in Washington, D.C. She has worked at the National Gallery of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts and currently teaches at American University. She brings a special affinity to the beauty of this area as she has visited Glen Arbor every summer since childhood.
“Artists at Work” signs will be spotted around the Glen Arbor area on Saturday, Aug. 6, as 60 pre-registered artists participate in the Glen Arbor Art Association’s eighth annual Plein Air Paint Out. After an early morning check-in to stamp canvases or papers verifying that their paintings have been completed on that day, the artists will fan out to find the perfect vista and set up for a day of painting and sketching “en plein air”.
Paint Out artists return their completed works ready for display to the Art Association late that day for a juried exhibit and “wet painting” sale and reception. Guest judge Erika Witler will award three cash prizes. The granddaughter of an accomplished artist, Erika earned her degree in art history from the University of Michigan. For the last 12 years Ms. Witler has been a senior underwriter for AXA Art Americas Corporation. She travels all over the United States, Europe and Asia to visit museums and exhibitions. She also attends numerous regional and international art fairs. While Chicago is home, she is a third-generation Glen Lake resident and visits whenever possible.
The Saturday, Aug. 6. Wet Painting Reception and Sale is open to the public from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The evening begins on a high note at 5:45 when a gong signals the beginning of the sale. Paintings may be purchased on a “first come” basis. Local wines and appetizers and desserts will complement the art. To purchase advance admission at $10 per person, visit GlenArborArt.org before Aug. 3. Tickets are $15 at the door the night of the event.
Artists wishing to participate in the Sundowner or the Artists Paint the Crystal River should visit GlenArborArt.org or call 231-334-6112. Registration for artists for Saturday’s, Plein Air Paint Out is closed.
