Plein Air Weekend — the calm before the storm
From staff reports
At about 4 p.m. on Saturday evening, Aug. 1, more than 60 artists gathered for a thank-you dinner given by the Glen Arbor Art Association (GAAA) before the Plein Air Paint Out Wet Painting Sale Reception. Art lovers began lining up at 5 to view the artwork that culminated the weekend’s events. The GAAA was filled with close to 300 art patrons and artists enjoying a lovely evening. Who would ever imagine that fewer than 24 hours later Glen Arbor would be hit by a megastorm that ravaged Leelanau County. That evening was literally the calm before the storm.
This annual fundraising weekend, which took place over three days, included more than 50 artists for each event, was a big success and drew many supporters of the GAAA and the arts. Those attending Friday’s Quick Sale, featuring works by artists painting the town’s sights and the Sundowner event, and Saturday night’s Paint Out Sale were thrilled to be able to purchase original art. Over 75 works were sold at the Quick Sale and the Paint Out Sale combined. Fifty dedicated volunteers helped make the events run smoothly. Volunteer chairperson Linda Young coordinated the Plein Air Weekend, which she helped create and has chaired for seven years.
We are so grateful that our event took place before the storm hit and none of the artists were out in the field during this time. We send our heartfelt concern to all those that suffered loss during the storm. The Glen Arbor community spirit helped us all get through this disaster and is now helping us move forward.
The award winners of the Plein Air Weekend are as follows:
The Sundowner-July 30
Best of Sunsets: Kathleen Kalinowski, Comstock Park, Mich.
Sunset Sonnet – Oil
Quick Draw-Artists Paint the Town-July 31
First Place: Margaret Schrimpf, Lake Leelanau/Cincinnati, Ohio
Crystal River – Oil
Second Place: Lisa Flahive, Suttons Bay
Stand & Deliver – Watercolor
Third Place: Sharon Will
CottonSeed- Pastel
Paint Out- August 1
First Place: Neil Walling, Suttons Bay/Naples, Fla.
First Canoe – Oil
Second Place: Don Drabik, Maple City
Burfiend Farm House – Watercolor
Third Place: Lori Feldpausch, Marshall, Mich.
The Potting Shed – Oil
People’s Choice Award: Neil Walling, Suttons Bay, Naples, FL
Sunlit Birch – Oil
