2nd Annual Plein Air Art Show and Sale
Spring 2012
Plein Air, French for “open air,” is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. In the early 19th century paint manufacturers made available, for the first time, pre-mixed oil pigments in easily carried tubes. Armed with an easily transferable medium, painters took their newly minted paint tubes and easels outdoors. The ability to paint directly from nature opened the door to the Impressionist movement and Barbizon school.
Impressionist artists were interested in the influence of changing outdoor light on a color. Painting real life and naturalistic scenes, they focused on form as color that suggested light. Leaving behind formulas and static scenes, these plein air painters tested out the theory of trusting their eyes to portray the truth in nature.
Building on the work of the realists and impressionists, modern plein air artists are experiencing a renaissance. Aldridge Gardens is proud to partner with these artists as they draw their audience into a greater appreciation of the natural world.
Here are the dates and times for all the events related to the 2nd Annual Plein Air Art Show and Sale:
May 15 - artists begin to arrive
May 16 - 10:00 am - artists registration and start painting at Aldridge Gardens
May 17 - artists paint at Aldridge Gardens
May 18 - artists paint off-site at private garden
May 19 - artists paint off-site at private garden
May 20 - 1-3 pm - artists participate in "Quick Draw" at Aldridge Gardens
May 20 - 3-4 pm - artists reception at Aldridge Gardens
May 15-June 29 - participating artists exhibit artwork in the Kay and Eddie Art and Historical Museum at Aldridge Gardens.
Artists' Submissions
Aldridge Gardens invites any interested artists that would like to be considered for this year’s Plein Air Art Show and Sale to follow our artists submittal process to contact us. This event is a juried show, so each artist will be contacted once the selection of work has been completed.
All interested artists will need to send visuals of their work in the form of photographs or digital jpeg images. Artists may also include some biographical information, but it is not required and the review will be based solely on the merit of the work.
Please send submissions to:
Debbie Bartoletti
Director of Marketing
Aldridge Gardens
3530 Lorna Road
Birmingham, AL 35216
Phone: 205.682.8019
Email: dbartoletti@aldridgegardens.com
Please include a self addressed, stamped envelope if you would like us to return any materials to you. The artists that are selected for this year’s show will be contacted no later than February 28, 2012.
