Glen Arbor Art Association holds seventh annual Plein Air weekend
From staff reports
“Artists at Work” signs will be spotted around the Glen Arbor area on Saturday, Aug. 1, as 60 pre-registered artists participate in the Glen Arbor Art Association’s seventh annual 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 to paint “en plein air”.
Plein-air painting refers to the technique of painting out-of-doors, which was initiated by the French Impressionists in the mid-19th century. The challenge is to paint or draw directly and spontaneously from nature during a limited period of time.
Artists return their completed works late that day to the Glen Arbor Art Association for a juried exhibit and “wet painting” sale and reception. Guest juror Lou Heiser will award three cash prizes. A fourth prize, the People’s Choice Award, is determined at the reception by popular vote.
The Saturday, Aug. 1, wet painting reception and sale is open to the public from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at GAAA, 6031 S. Lake Street, the entrance drive is across from Cherry Republic. Paintings may be purchased on a “first come” basis beginning at the sound of the gong at 5:45 pm. Admission is $10 per person, advance registration or $15 at the door. For more information visit GlenArborArt.org.
The Paint Out has become a signature event for GAAA, and is now a three-day event attracting artists and art lovers from throughout the state and the Midwest. Competition for a spot in Saturday’s Plein Air Paint Out is high and this year’s event filled in just five hours in late March.
On Thursday evening, July 30, a new event, the Sundowner, features artists painting the sunset along Lake Michigan and Glen Lake at such locations as Glen Haven, Inspiration Point and Old Settler’s Park. A full moon might even inspire painting under the stars. Paintings from the Sundowner event will be shown and for sale at the Quick Sale on Friday, July 31.
The Quick Sale culminates the popular Quick Draw event. Over 70 artists have registered to Paint the Town and can be seen painting throughout downtown Glen Arbor from 2:30-4:30 p.m. The challenge of a Quick Draw is to complete a painting or drawing in just two hours. It is a great opportunity for the public to see artists in action.
The Quick Draw event concludes with an exhibit that is free and open to the public from 5-6 p.m. at the Glen Arbor Town Hall. Hank Feeley, juror for the Quick Draw, will award cash prizes for Best of Sunset and Paint the Town.
Artists wishing to participate in the Sundowner or the Artists Paint the Town should visit GlenArborArt.org, or call 231-334-6112. Registration for artists for Saturday’s, Plein Air Paint Out is closed.
