WAYNE — Wayne Art Center is excited to announce the return of its annual Plein Air Festival, one of the longest running and most popular outdoor painting events in the country.
This year, more than 150 nationally ranked artists from 32 states answered the call for entry.
Juror Jill Carver of Colorado selected 32 painters to compete for $25,000 in cash prizes which she will award at the Collectors’ Preview and Sale on Friday, May 10.
The Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival Exhibition will be on display from May 11 through June 22, 2024.
The multiday competition will begin on Sunday, May 5. Over six days and traveling to numerous locations within 35 miles of Wayne, the artists will create approximately 300 original works, drawing inspiration from the nearby historical architecture and lush landscapes found throughout our region. All paintings will be completed on site and from direct observation which is what it means to paint “en plein air.”
“I am always impressed with the caliber of these paintings,” said Wayne Art Center Plein Air Founder and Executive Director, Nancy Campbell. “We are thrilled to have new artists join us while welcoming back several participants of earlier festivals. The artists’ enthusiasm, along with the generosity of our many business sponsors, patrons and volunteers, shows how valued this festival is to our community.”
The Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival launches with a private welcome event at a local patron’s picturesque farm on Sunday, May 5. Artists arrive with blank canvases which are stamped to ensure that all work is original. Then the race is on to create as many fresh and new works as possible. In conjunction with the festival artists, local plein air painters will participate in a Community Paint-Out. Completed works will be installed at Wayne Art Center along with the festival artists and be available for purchase.
The week culminates with a Collectors’ Preview & Sale on Friday, May 10 at the Wayne Art Center in the Davenport, Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith and Vidinghoff Galleries. Doors open precisely at 6 p.m. for those with early viewing tickets and 7 p.m. for regular admission.
The night offers a chance to meet the artists in a festive and elegant setting with an open bar and savory hors d’oeuvres by Catering By Design. Martinis will flow from a hand-sculpted ice luge created by Peter Slavin of Ice Sculpture Philly, and Phyllis Chapell and Dave Postmontier’s live jazz music will create a celebratory environment in which to purchase these freshly painted masterpieces.
The success of the Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival is made possible through the dedicated efforts of the Plein Air Committee and the support and generosity of local businesses, patrons and event attendees. Funds raised benefit Wayne Art Center’s diverse array of arts education, exhibitions and outreach programs for individuals of all ages and abilities. This year’s major sponsors include PNC Private Bank, the Archie W. and Grace Berry Foundation, Johnson & Johnson and First Resource Bank.
The community is invited to participate in several Plein Air activities. On Tuesday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 8, Easels and Entrees will feature plein air artists painting live at local restaurants; a Juror’s Demo and Talk with Jill Carver will be held on Saturday, May 11, and Minis and Mimosas for Mom will offer miniature paintings for sale on Sunday, May 12, Mother’s Day.
Other events include a three-day Workshop with Jill Carver on May 13-15; Pizza Box Plein Air Workshop for children on May 18; French Burgundy Dinner and Wine Pairing with Chef Patrick Gauthron on June 11; Mary Cassatt at Work Docent Tour and Luncheon on June 13 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art; and When Painting Moved Outside: The Origins of Plein Air Paintings with William Perthes, Director of Education at the Barnes Foundation on June 19.
Additionally, plein air artists Michel Byrne, Fred Jackson, Mick McAndrews, Barbara Berry, Elise Phillips, Stewart White and Beth Bathe will conduct Plein Air Painting Demos. A Closing Reception will be held on June 22 at Wayne Art Center. Visit www.waynepleinair.org to register for these dynamic events.
Originally from London, England, Jill Carver moved to the United States in 2002. Before becoming a full-time professional artist, she was a curatorial research assistant at the National Portrait Gallery in London for 12 years. She has won numerous Artists Choice awards at the country’s top plein events, including Laguna Beach Invitational, Plein Air Easton, Sedona, San Luis Obispo and Telluride. In 2014, Carver won the Gold Medal (Artists’ Choice) for Best in Show at Maynard Dixon Country and in the same year was inaugurated as Signature Member in ‘Plein Air Painters of America’. Her work is represented by The Medicine Man Gallery, The Insight Gallery, and Wood River Fine Arts. She is a popular and highly regarded teacher.
Wayne Art Center 2024 Plein Air Festival Artists:
Olena Babak, ME
Neal Hughes, NJ
Edmond Praybe, MD
Bridger Barksdale, UT
Fred Jackson, PA
Cynthia Rosen, VT
Beth Bathe, PA
Jim Laurino, CT
Kari Ganoung Ruiz, NY
Barbara Berry, PA
Christopher Leeper, OH
Jennifer Sampson, NY
Lon Brauer, IL
Elaine Lisle, PA
Natalie Shupe, UT
Thomas Bucci, ME
David Lussier, ME
John Slivjak, PA
Michele Byrne, NM
Mick McAndrews, PA
Caleb Stoltzfus, PA
Henry Coe, MD
Jonathan McPhillips, RI
Jill Stefanie Wagner, MI
Valerie Craig, PA
Charles Newman, NJ
Rokhaya Waring, NC
Eileen Eder, CT
Abby Ober, MD
Stewart White, MD
Qiang Huang, TX
Elise Phillips, PA
Founded in 1931, Wayne Art Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the community through the arts. More than 500 classes and workshops are offered annually to over 5,000 students of all ages and abilities. The galleries receive over 35,000 visitors a year for their many exhibits, lectures and special events. Wayne Art Center is located at 413 Maplewood Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am-5 pm and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.wayneart.org or call 610-688-3553.
16th Annual Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival Schedule of Events
Events marked with an asterisk are open to the public. Register at www.waynepleinair.org.
Sunday, May 5-Friday, May 12 Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival: The artists paint within 35 miles of Wayne.
Saturday, May 4 – Tuesday, May 7: Community Paint-Out: Community artists paint “en plein air” throughout Wayne. Works will be on view and for sale during the Plein Air Festival Exhibition.
Tuesday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 8: * Easels and Entrees: Plein Air artists will be giving live demonstrations at select area restaurants.
Friday, May 10, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.: *Collectors’ Preview and Sale: This ticketed event offers the first look and opportunity to purchase paintings from the festival week. Attendees meet the artists, enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres by Catering By Design, sip on a selection of fine wines and crafted beers, and listen to live jazz music by Phyllis Chapell and Dave Posmontier.
Saturday, May 11, 1 p.m. to3 p.m.: *Juror’s Demo with Jill Carver: Juror Jill Carver of Colorado will discuss the plein air technique.
Sunday, May 12, 12-3 p.m.: *Minis and Mimosa for Mom: Share a mimosa with mom while enjoying a special exhibition of miniature paintings as well as the Plein Air Exhibition.
Monday, May 13 to Wednesday, May 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: *Aesthetic Design Tools for Landscape Painting with Jill Carver: This workshop will explore design tools relating to the core components of shape, value, and color.
Wednesday, May 15, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: *Plein Air Demonstration by Michele Byrne
Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: *Children’s Pizza Box Plein Air Painting Workshop
Wednesday, May 22, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: *Plein Air Demonstration by Fred Jackson
Wednesday, May 29, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: *Plein Air Demonstration by Mick McAndrews
Saturday, June 1, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: *Plein Air Demonstration by Barbara Berry
Wednesday, June 5, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: *Plein Air Demonstration by Elise Phillips
Tuesday, June 11, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: *French Burgundy Dinner and Wine Pairing with Chef Patrick Gauthron
Wednesday, June 12, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: *Plein Air Demonstration by Stewart White
Thursday, June 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. *Mary Cassatt at Work: Private Docent Tour and Luncheon at Philadelphia Museum of Art
Wednesday, June 19, 6 p.m.: *When Painting Moved Outside: The Origins of Plein Air Painting Lecture by William Perthes
Thursday, June 20, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: *Plein Air Painting Demonstration by Beth Bathe
Saturday, June 22, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: *Closing Reception for Wayne Art Center 2024 Plein Air Exhibition
