Plein Air Weekend

Painters from across Michigan and the Midwest will converge on Glen Arbor August 4, 5, and 6 for the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s 13th Plein Air Weekend. 

This year the event will be highlighted by three outdoor painting competitions and two exhibitions of original work. The Sundowner is Thursday, August 4th. The artists will work to capture the sunset. The Quick Draw is Friday, August 5. This year’s theme asks artists to paint their interpretation of “Pastoral Life: Capturing Images of Barns, Farms, and Fields.” The public is welcome to watch the artists in action. Quick Draw and Sundowner paintings will be on view and for sale at the Glen Arbor Town Hall, 6394 W. Western Avenue/M-22, on Friday, August 5, 5 – 6:30 pm. Glen Arbor artist Barb Cochran will judge the paintings. There will be cash prizes.

The weekend’s culminating event, the Paint Out exhibit and sale, is Saturday, August 6. It features work by 70 artists who registered early to be included in this all-day painting event. The evening viewing and sale is 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Glen Arbor Township Hall. More than 100 works of art will be exhibited and offered for sale on a first-come basis (at the sound of the gong at 6 pm).  Grand Rapids art gallery owners, Scott and Linda LaFontsee, will judge and award cash prizes for the paintings including the Amy L. Clark-Carels $1,000 first place prize. Entry to Saturday evening’s show and sale is ticketed. Tickets will be $10 and and available at the door. Children under 12 are free.

The Plein Air Weekend is a major fundraising event for the Glen Arbor Art Center. Proceeds from the sale of the paintings benefit the participating artists and the GAAC. For more information go to GlenArborArt.org.