A newly popular term, Plein Air refers to a painting done outside rather than in a studio, from the French term en plein air meaning 'in the open air'. The Getty Museum describes Plein Air as an art movement begun in France that included painting subjects outside and creating seemingly unarranged images of nature. Plein Air was made possible with the introduction of portable metal tubes that could replace pig bladders for holding pigments. The Impressionists were particularly interested in the influence of changing light outdoors on color. The Italian word for plein air painting is alfresco.

Plein air art enthusiasts are invited to come participate in this year's competition. The Escalante Canyons Art Festival will be September 21 -28, 2008 with cash prizes totalling $10,000. Awards will be given in two categories: Oil/Acrylics and Watercolor/Mixed-media. Artists can paint from September 21-25, and can sign-in and have their canvases stamped as early as Sunday, September 21. Entries must be submitted on Thursday, September 25 from the late afternoon to the early evening.

This year's schedule will make it easier for painters to have an artist/vendor booth at the festival in addition to competing in the plein air competition. Since the entry must be turned in on Thursday evening instead of Friday, there will be ample time to set up and work your booth on Friday and Saturday. We certainly encourage our artists to have a booth. A downloadable version of the application is on the “Artists / Vendors” tab. There are still 10” by 10’ spaces available indoors and outdoors. It is a great opportunity to show work from this area and also from your other areas of interest.

As we did last year, we are providing scholarship money to the Fine Arts Program of Dixie State College of Utah. We will rely on the judgment of the college art department, they can award the money to a single student who excels in painting, or like USU did last year, the funds could be used for lodging and transportation for several students to attend.

We are very pleased to announce that award winning professional artist and teacher Cody DeLong of Arizona is offering a one day plein air workshop "Creating the Wow Factor" on Saturday September 20th. This is a wonderful opportunity to enhance your techniques or even learn something new prior to the start of the competition. For further information and registration, please email Cody at cody@codydelong.com or visit his website www.codydelong.com or visit the Workshops and Exhibits page.

Remember, the plein air entry form must be postmarked this year by September 13. After that date there will be a late fee of $20.00. A downloadable version of the application form is located below.

"Click Here" for the 2008 Registration Form, Entry Fee, Deadline, Prizes, Rules and Schedule (.pdf )

As always, Melanie and I are really looking forward to seeing you at the festival this year. Kent “Sandy” Larsen