Leelanau Community Cultural Center holds virtual plein air event in Leland’s Old Art Building
From staff reports
The Leelanau Community Cultural Center is thrilled to announce the VIRTUAL Leland Air Exhibition. “Leland Air: a plein air event” is celebrating its eighth year, albeit with a new twist due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Paintings in the show will be created en plein air on Friday, May 22. Since this is a virtual paint-out, artists may still be at their stay-at-home locations anywhere in the country. That evening, by 8 pm EDT, artists must send photos of their work for the exhibit. During the next day and a half those paintings will be uploaded to the Old Art Building website. An EarlyBird showing and sale will open on Sunday, May 24, at 3 pm. Then at 4 pm the exhibit will open to the public. The show continues until Sunday, May 31, at 6 pm. Tickets for the EarlyBird viewing are $25 and available for purchase from myNorthTickets.com.
In the past Leland Air was held in Leland. Starting at 8 am on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, artists painted en plein air around Leland and Leelanau County. Then at 4 pm all artwork had to be turned in—framed and ready to exhibit. The paintings were hung, and at 6 pm we opened the doors for the sale of “fresh off the easel” paintings. Amazingly many artists would submit their limit of 2 paintings painted that very day. This is a fundraiser, 40% of each sale went to the Old Art Building, and thankfully the sales would be brisk. The opening would be the start of the summer season.
This year with COVID-19, social distancing and restrictions on gatherings, the Old Art Building decided to continue the tradition by creating a virtual venue for the artists to share their plein air paintings. A benefit to this “new normal” is that no matter where the artist is in the nation or even the world, they can participate, opening the door to many new artists, and offering them exposure for their talent. Just as in the past there will be a Best in Show painting chosen by three jurors. That Best in Show artist and their painting will be featured in our Art Leelanau promotions and a limited edition, signed print will be available for purchase. There will also be a People’s Choice painting selected by the viewers. There will be a voting button on the website and at the end of the exhibit, the winner will be announced.
The EarlyBird Sale is an opportunity for those who want to get a head start on the sales. Those that purchase the tickets will receive a password shortly before 3pm on Sunday, May 24. That code will allow them to see all the paintings, including the Best in Show winner. Paintings can be purchased right online with a credit card. Once purchased, the artist will be given the buyers contact information and pick-up/shipping can be arranged. The paintings will not be framed.
The downfall of a virtual setting-—no opening reception! Even so, we encourage you to create an “Opening” from your stay at home locations. We would love for you to share your reception with us on Facebook and Instagram.
This Virtual event will also introduce you to the LCCC’s NEW website. Created in cooperation with Anna Taylor of Taylormade in Traverse City. Pulling from the colors of our lakes, she has captured our mission and vision in an easy to navigate, beautiful, website. Her design team also helped us create the Leland Air(Virtual). Dealing with a short deadline, they thought through all the scenarios, for a quick turnover of “fresh off the easel” paintings to an online exhibit.
With this event and others in the near future, it is the hope of the LCCC to continue to support the arts and culture in our community, for our community. As the world we know changes—so will we. Make a note on your calendar, purchase an EarlyBird ticket, buy a painting and enjoy the show.
For more information visit OldArtBuilding.com.
