ST. GEORGE —If you’re fascinated by the light and how it moves through a scene creating shadows, values, color and atmosphere, this is the festival for you.
Leave the four walls of a studio behind and paint outdoors in some of Southern Utah’s most breathtaking landscapes during the Plein Air Festival. Don’t consider yourself an artist? Immerse yourself in the finished masterpieces inspired by Greater Zion beauty at the Plein Air Art Exhibition.
Art Provides owner Elizabeth Gunter said the French term “plein air” means painting in the open air. Plein air painting was pioneered in 1813 and became popular during the 1860s impressionist era of artists. It’s what inspired artists to put paint into tubes so they could have mobility in creating their paintings.
“A plein air painting has to be 80% completed on-site, outside and it’s not easy,” Gunter said. “They have to paint quickly and loosely. It’s not for the faint of heart.”
Gunter said the festival began when Charm Crumrine saw a need for a plein air group in St. George almost two years ago. As the group formed, local plein air painters and Jerome Quenneville suggested they start the Plein Air Festival. They approached Gunter to collaborate on a location and sponsors.
For the first year’s event last year, Gunter said they put it together in six weeks and paid mostly out of their own pockets to make it happen. And it turned out great. This year’s event is the first time they’ve spent an entire year planning, and they’re excited to see the fruits of their labors.
The Second Annual 2023 St. George Plein Air Festival runs from Sept. 22-30, beginning with a two-day workshop with artist Julie Rodgers on Sept. 22 and 23. That workshop is sold out, but the opportunity to paint outdoors is still wide open for interested artists.
On Monday, Sept. 25, from 7 a.m. to noon, participating artists will show up to Art Provides with blank canvases and papers that will be stamped on the back, proving they created the pieces at the festival. Registration is open to all artists until the day of stamping. That night, artists will have a formal meet and greet at 5:30 p.m.
The first paint-out will take place at Red Cliffs Desert Garden on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to noon and include a violinist. On Wednesday night, a talk will take place at 7 p.m.
“About half of our attendees are from out of town,” Gunter said. “Either up north or upstate. We get people as far north as Idaho and as far south as Kingman, Arizona. It draws in all the plein air painters from the neighboring areas.”
Artists are required to drop off their finished paintings framed. Gunter said most of the paintings will still be wet when they are turned in since most of the participants are oil painters. And all 40-plus paintings will be hung in a separate section of the exhibit on the night of Friday, Sept. 29.
The first chance to see the artists’ completed work will be at the VIP First Look on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 2-3 p.m. This is an exclusive opportunity for art connoisseurs and collectors to get a sneak peek at the plein-air masterpieces before the general public. The event offers an intimate setting to engage with the artists and gain unique insights into their creative processes.
The official Opening Reception and Awards Presentation will take place Saturday, Sept. 30, from 3-6 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend, where they will have the opportunity to vote for the Artist’s Choice and People’s Choice awards. Partially sponsored by The Advenire, the event will provide appetizers and live music.
Three categories are available for artists to win and will include $3,200 in cash prizes. Prizes will go to first, second and third-place winners along with honorable mentions. There will also be a mini art competition with small paintings the size of an Altoid box.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to witness the magic of plein air art and be a part of the Second Annual 2023 St. George Plein Air Festival. Find more information online about the Plein Air Art Exhibition. For more information including the full festival schedule, see the event page.
Photo Gallery
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
An artist participates in last year's Plein Air Festival, location unspecified, circa 2022 | Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Gunter, St. George News
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