Glen Arbor Art Association Paint Out
Press release
The Glen Arbor Art Association will host its first annual Plein Air Paint Out and Bounty of the County on Saturday, August 15 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Artists begin their day at the historic Thoreson Farm (three miles north of Glen Arbor off M-22) where they will have their canvases or papers stamped to verify that the material they will be painting on that day was blank the morning of the paint out. Then they are free to stay at the farm or venture anywhere in the area to begin a day of plein-air painting.
Plein-air painting refers to the technique of painting outdoors, which was initiated by the French Impressionists in the mid-19th century. The challenge is to paint or draw directly and spontaneously from nature even has those conditions are constantly changing. As the sun moves across the sky, artists will paint or draw landscapes, gardens and buildings trying to capture the beauty of a Leelanau County day using a variety of mediums.
The entry fee for participating is $25 on the day of the event or $20 for early registration. The fee includes a continental breakfast in the morning and the reception in the afternoon. Volunteers will be on hand at Thoreson Farm from 8-9 a.m. to help with registration and provide maps and directions to special vistas, idyllic spots and scenic gardens in the area.
Artists will return their completed works ready for display (artists may submit more than one finished piece) to the Glen Arbor Art Association in the afternoon for a juried exhibit and “wet painting” sale and reception. Becky Thatcher of Becky Thatcher Designs will be this year’s juror and will award three cash prizes.
Bounty of the County kicks off to the public from 5-7 p.m. at the Art Association, off Lake Street across from Cherry Republic, when the “wet painting” exhibit and reception offers the opportunity to purchase one of the recently completed paintings, sample wines provided by the Leelanau County Vintners Association and local food tastings. “This is when the fun begins for those of us who’d love to capture the beauty of this area if we could paint but can’t,” said Art Association President Linda Young. The paintings will be sold on a ‘first come basis’ beginning at 5 p.m. with proceeds from the sales to benefit the Art Association’s enrichment programs. A $10 donation per person will be accepted.
“We think this will be an exciting two-part event,” continued Young, “a day in the county for the artists and then the sale and reception where we can all celebrate and enjoy the beauty and bounty of Leelanau County. We’ve had a really good early response from artists so we know this is going to be a fun day for all.”
To register or for more information please visit www.glenarborart.org, or call (231) 334-6112.