May 14, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Kitty McQuaid, Marketing and Communications Manager
610-688-3553
kitty@wayneart.org
Patti Hallowell, Exhibitions Coordinator
610-688-3553 x. 211
patti@wayneart.org
WAYNE ART CENTER WELCOMES THIRTY-TWO
ARTISTS TO 13TH ANNUAL WAYNE PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
WAYNE, PA – April 15, 2019, − The 13th Annual Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival kicks off Saturday, May 13 and continues through Sunday, May 18, 2019. One of the premier plein air events in the country, Wayne Art Center’s 2019 Plein Air Festival call for artists, attracted more than 100 entries from painters as far away as California, with only 32 individuals juried into the festival by year’s juror Joe Paquet. Traveling to numerous locations within 25 miles of Wayne over five days, artists swiftly paint “en plein air” (outdoor painting) to create a trove of work, which is then placed on display and for sale to the public. Work from the 2019 Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival is on display May 20 through June 29, 2019.
“The vast, picturesque landscape and vibrant community I’ve previously experienced during Wayne Art Center’s Plein Air Festival offer an extraordinary opportunity for plein air painters,” says Joe. “The talent of those who apply to the event consistently is among the most impressive I’ve encountered. It was a challenging process for sure, but those selected are truly exceptional.” Mr. Paquet comes to Wayne from St. Paul, Minnesota, is an emeritus member of The Plein Air Painters of America, and is a highly acclaimed plein air artist himself.
Festival activities begin Monday, May 13 as artists arrive at Wayne Art Center to register and have their canvases “stamped,” identifying the paintings produced during the festival. Then, it’s off to outdoor locations ranging from the Naval Yard to Chanticleer Gardens to Valley Forge and anywhere in between. On Monday afternoon an artist can be found painting Boathouse Row then Tuesday that same artist might work along the Willistown countryside. “There is just so much to paint in this region!” explains Tim Kelly, 2018 Wayne Plein Air “Best In Show” winner, who was invited to participate again this year. “I enjoy painting architecture and cityscapes, while my counterparts visit area gardens to focus on flora, or venture out in search of landscapes and bodies of water. So not only do we artists enjoy an abundance of subject matter to choose from, the result is an enormous body of work that appeals to a diverse audience.”
Wayne Plein Air has become an exciting, highly-anticipated annual tradition in Wayne. Many residents open their homes to the visiting painters, who take up temporary residence in the area. In 2018, more than 100 local businesses and individual sponsors donated more than $120,000 in support of Wayne Plein Air, which not only allows Wayne Art Center to host the festival but contributes to the organization’s outreach, educational and exhibition programs year round.
For the 2019 Wayne Plein Air Festival, organizers set out to involve more members of the community than ever before. “One of our goals with this year’s festival is to educate even more of the community about the art of plein air painting and offer opportunities for artists of all ages to become part of the festivities,” explains Nancy Campbell, executive director of Wayne Art Center. “With the help of our dedicated and engaged Plein Air Planning Committee, we have scheduled more community-targeted events than ever before, including paint-outs for teens and children, led by our experienced faculty; artist workshops and demonstrations with highly-regarded artists; and exciting culinary events hosted by chefs from popular local restaurants. I have no doubt this will be one of our most successful plein air festivals yet!”
In years past, Wayne Plein Air Festival artists have produced more than 250 new paintings during the festival week. The festival concludes with a Collectors’ Soirée and Sale where guests have the opportunity to meet the artists in a festive and elegant setting and purchase artwork before the general public. The trove of work derived from the juried artists and community events is displayed at Wayne Art Center and remains for sale to the public May 20 through June 29. The exhibition is free and open to the public.
2019 Wayne Plein Air Artists
| Marc Anderson, WI
Natalia Andreeva, FL Beth Bathe, PA Barbara Berry, PA Lon Brauer, IL Michele Byrne, PA Valerie Craig, PA Mary Ellen Goetz, PA Palden Hamilton, MD Qiang Huang, TX Neal Hughes, NJ Shelby Keefe, WI Brian Keeler, NY Tim Kelly, MD Douglas Kingsbury, PA Jim Laurino, CT
|
Patrick Lee, PA
Christopher Leeper, OH Georganna Lenssen, PA David Lussier, NH Mick McAndrews, PA Charles Newman, NJ Abby Ober, MD DK Palecek, WI Elise Phillips, PA Kari Ganounr, Ruiz, NY Jason Sacran, AR Mark Shasha, MA George Van Hook, NY Jill Stefani Wagner, MI Stewart White, MD Tara Will, MD
|
About Wayne Art Center:
Wayne Art Center has been enriching the cultural needs of the community since 1930. From its modest beginnings as the first art center on the Main Line, the Center has grown into a dynamic nonprofit organization, providing instruction in all phases of the visual and performing arts.
Nearly 500 classes and workshops are offered annually to more than 4,000 students of all ages and abilities. Wayne Art Center’s high caliber and committed faculty support the fine reputation the Center has achieved through the years. The galleries at Wayne Art Center attract more than 35,000 visitors a year for exhibitions, lectures, and special events.
2019 Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival Schedule of Events
*Events marked with an astrix are open to the public for registration and would be appropriate for your calendar listings as well as editorial coverage.
Sundays, April 28 and May 5; 10 am–3 pm each day
*Teen Paint-Out: Artists ages 12-17 gather at designated locations to paint plein air under the guidance of a Wayne Art Center instructor. Teen art is collected and placed on display at Wayne Art Center during Plein Air Exhibition (May 20-June 29).
Monday, May 13; 7 am
Artist Registration: The 13th Annual Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival kicks off as the 32 accepted artists arrive at Wayne Art Center to have their canvases stamped and officially become part of the festival during this high-energy event.
Monday, May 13– Saturday; May 18
13th Annual Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival: Artists paint within 25 miles of Wayne. Wayne Art Center will announce a social media promotion that encourages the community at large to look for Plein Air artists as they are painting in the area and “tag the artist” using their Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Monday, May 13; 6–8 pm
Artist Welcome Dinner at Willowbrook Farm: Festival artists, sponsors, volunteers, and board members come together to celebrate the artists’ arrival and enjoy a casual but festive evening getting to know each other.
Wednesday, May 15; evening
Art Intake 1: Artists deliver their earliest festival paintings to Wayne Art Center and, exhibition installation begins.
Friday, May 17; evening
Art Intake 2: Artists bring their final festival paintings to Wayne Art Center, and exhibition installation concludes in time for Saturday’s Collectors’ Soiree and Sale.