What is Plein Air?
In the world of Art, Plein Air is an expression from the French which means "in the open air," and is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Plein Air painting challenges artists to concentrate on the information in front them, and re-create their impression with paint onto canvas in the moment. Plein Air painting became popular in France in the late 19th century and largely contributed to the onset of Impressionism.
Plein Air painting is a large part of this region’s history. Our early visions of the west, and the Tetons, came from Plein Air painters such as Thomas Moran (for whom Mt Moran is named) and Albert Bierstadt in the late 1800’s.
Plein Air painting is a large part of this region’s history. Our early visions of the west, and the Tetons, came from Plein Air painters such as Thomas Moran (for whom Mt Moran is named) and Albert Bierstadt in the late 1800’s.
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Venues and Events at Driggs Plein Air
Driggs City Gallery
The City Gallery is in the Driggs City Building at 60 S Main St. It will be open Monday - Saturday for all registered artists to display paintings for sale. A special Pre-Event Exhibition will be held on Sunday, July 23rd for artists registered for the workshop only. Starting Monday, July 24, up to 3 framed paintings by each registered artist will be hung in the gallery and for sale to the public. Artists may sell their previously painted plein air paintings as well as pieces they have completed during the week.
OPENING Artist Reception, Exhibtion & Sale: Sunday, July 23rd, from 6 pm - 8 pm at the Driggs City Center in conjunction with a classical music event.
Paint Outs
2017 Venues: Teton River (new location from years past!) and Grand Targhee Resort. A Paint Out is a gathering of painters in one area where spectators can wander around and watch the painters in the process of creating a painting. Paint Outs are not competitive.
Quick Draws
2017 Venues: Downtown Driggs and Music on Main. Quick Draws are competitive, the public votes for the winners. All Quick Draw paintings must be framed. Wet paintings are made available for sale.
Miniatures
Any painting smaller than 6"x 8" is considered a miniature. Artists will be responsible for providing their own miniature canvases or panels. Miniatures may be painted on site, or brought in for the display. The miniatures will be offered for sale throughout the show.
Main Competition
Painters have the entire week to work on a painting for the Main Competition. All Main Competition paintings must be framed, and submitted to the City Gallery before the deadline of NOON on Friday. Judges will choose the winners and awards will be presented at the Awards Reception and Gala on Saturday.
FINAL Exhibition & Sale, Artist Reception and Gala
All final competition paintings, which have been completed during the week, will be available for sale starting Saturday at 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Competition judging takes place Saturday morning.
PLEASE JOIN US for the Awards Ceremony and Closing Gala Saturday, July 29th 5 pm - 8:30 pm
The City Gallery is in the Driggs City Building at 60 S Main St. It will be open Monday - Saturday for all registered artists to display paintings for sale. A special Pre-Event Exhibition will be held on Sunday, July 23rd for artists registered for the workshop only. Starting Monday, July 24, up to 3 framed paintings by each registered artist will be hung in the gallery and for sale to the public. Artists may sell their previously painted plein air paintings as well as pieces they have completed during the week.
OPENING Artist Reception, Exhibtion & Sale: Sunday, July 23rd, from 6 pm - 8 pm at the Driggs City Center in conjunction with a classical music event.
Paint Outs
2017 Venues: Teton River (new location from years past!) and Grand Targhee Resort. A Paint Out is a gathering of painters in one area where spectators can wander around and watch the painters in the process of creating a painting. Paint Outs are not competitive.
Quick Draws
2017 Venues: Downtown Driggs and Music on Main. Quick Draws are competitive, the public votes for the winners. All Quick Draw paintings must be framed. Wet paintings are made available for sale.
Miniatures
Any painting smaller than 6"x 8" is considered a miniature. Artists will be responsible for providing their own miniature canvases or panels. Miniatures may be painted on site, or brought in for the display. The miniatures will be offered for sale throughout the show.
Main Competition
Painters have the entire week to work on a painting for the Main Competition. All Main Competition paintings must be framed, and submitted to the City Gallery before the deadline of NOON on Friday. Judges will choose the winners and awards will be presented at the Awards Reception and Gala on Saturday.
FINAL Exhibition & Sale, Artist Reception and Gala
All final competition paintings, which have been completed during the week, will be available for sale starting Saturday at 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Competition judging takes place Saturday morning.
PLEASE JOIN US for the Awards Ceremony and Closing Gala Saturday, July 29th 5 pm - 8:30 pm