The Vermont Institute of Natural Science’s 4th annual en Plein Air Painting Festival is scheduled for September 29th through October 5th, 2018. Join in the fun with your own palette or buy an original work of art at the resulting sale!
Plein Air painting is a style that emerged in the mid-1800’s, after the introduction paint tubes and the box easel. Painting was suddenly a much more portable practice and the Plein Air movement was on.
What is “en Plein Air?”
“en Plein Air” is a French term meaning “in the open air” – and that’s what plein air painting is all about. Plein Air painting is done outside and, perhaps more importantly, against the changing of the light. This race against time and the movement of the light imbues the work with a sense of energy and excitement. Plein Air painting was an important component of impressionism and practiced by influential artists like Renoir, Pissarro, and Monet.
The Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) en Plein Air Painting Festival celebrates the Ottauquechee River watershed. Painters come from all over to paint in celebration of the area’s remarkable beauty – and you can join them!
Artists will work in the Ottauquechee, White, and Connecticut River watersheds to create two paintings. One painting is for the Overall competition and another in the Quick Paint competition. The Quick Paint competition sees artists completing a work in just three hours!
2018 en Plein Air Painting Festival Awards
Best of Show Award – $1,000
Watershed Painting – $250
Nocturnal Painting – $250
Avian Art – $250
People’s Choice – $250
Three prizes in the Youth category (17 years of age and younger): $50, $75, $100
Three prize places for the Quick Paint competition: $100, $200, $300
Registration for the 2018 en Plein Air Painting Festival is open now and until 5pm, September 9th, 2018.
Not a painter?
That’s okay! You can still participate by coming out for the Plein Air Painting Festival Exhibition & Art Sale. The exhibition and sale begins October 5th, the same day as the award ceremony. Come out, see the artwork, meet the artists, and cheer the winners! Can’t make the 5th? No problem – the sale runs to the 22nd at The Vermont Institute of Natural Science in Quechee, VT.
Vermont Institute of Natural Science 2018 en Plein Air Painting Festival
September 29th through October 5th
Visit vinsweb.org for registration, schedule, and more information.
Quechee Lodging
Planning on participating in or attending the 2018 en Plein Air Painting Festival? Great idea! Know how to make your time even better? Make Deer Brook Inn your home away from home during the festival! Our guestrooms and suites include en suite bathrooms, in-room heating/air conditioning, high-speed WiFi, and more for your comfort. And all within the charming surroundings of our lovingly restored 1820’s farmhouse! Book your stay at Deer Brook Inn today.