Verde Valley News – From October 13-16, 2022, fifteen professional artists will take their studios outdoors, painting at scenic locations around the Prescott area as part of the 3rd Annual Prescott Plein Air Art Festival. Presented by the Highlands Center for Natural History and the City of Prescott, in partnership with the Prescott National Forest and Touchmark at the Ranch, this special event will showcase Prescott’s natural, historical, and architectural beauty. There will also be pre-festival workshops with a pre-exhibit and sale at Yavapai College Gallery, artist demos, and a post-exhibit and sale at Mountain Artists Guild in Prescott.
Referencing the French expression for “in the open air,” plein air art festivals involve artists who paint in outdoor settings and strive to capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color, and movement into their work. Artists participating in the Prescott Plein Air Art Festival have been selected by a jury and hail from across Arizona, as well as Colorado and Utah. They may be found painting anywhere throughout the Prescott area, but the public is invited to observe and engage with them at no cost as they create their art at specific accessible sites, at the Constellation Trailhead and at the downtown Courthouse Plaza.
In the months leading up to the festival, a series of events will invite the public to delve into the world of plein air painting. For instance, from August 8-10, acclaimed artist Betty Carr, a Master in the American Impressionist Society, will lead a workshop focused on techniques for painting the effects of light in a floral still life and a landscape setting. Yavapai College Art Gallery pre-exhibit and sale begins August 11-September 30, 2022.
In October, the Plein Air Art Festival will launch on the 13th with three days of painting and conclude on the 16th with an Artist Reception, Gallery and Sale at the Finn at Touchmark at the Ranch. This closing reception will offer guests an opportunity to visit with the artists, learn more about the plein air style of painting and purchase one-of-a-kind pieces directly from the artists. Following the reception, the Mountain Artists Guild will host a post-exhibit and sale.
About the Highlands Center for Natural History – Celebrating 25 Years!
The Highlands Center for Natural History is a non-profit organization developed to foster an appreciation for the Central Highlands of Arizona. Formed in 1996, the Center is a regional hub for lifelong learning, designed to invite discovery of the wonders of nature. The Highlands Center offers a wide array of programs and includes an inviting venue for community events and is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations and community partners. For information on any Highlands Center upcoming programs, please call 928-776-9550 or go to https://highlandscenter.org.
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