The Owensboro Art Guild will host its annual Plein Air Art Event on June 6 at the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, inviting artists and the public to take part in a day of outdoor painting and art appreciation.
The event, now in its seventh year, centers on “plein air” — a French term meaning “open air” — where artists create work outdoors while observing their surroundings.
Artists will begin the day at 7 a.m., when canvases and other flat art surfaces will be stamped before work begins. Participants will then have until 2 p.m. to complete their pieces, after which artwork will be submitted for judging. The finished works will be displayed from 2-3:30 p.m. in the garden.
Chairperson Pam Heavner said the event functions as both a live art experience and a public showcase.
“The artists are out there painting or drawing, and then people can come and watch them work and view all of the artwork after it’s judged. It’s a live, free art show,” she said.
The event coincides with a free admission day at the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, allowing visitors to explore the grounds while observing artists at work.
Heavner said the setting plays a major role in the event’s appeal.
“It’s gorgeous there,” she said. “Being out in nature and painting from life is just a different experience than studio painting. It’s a healthy pastime.”
Participants may work in any two-dimensional medium and produce multiple pieces, though only two may be submitted for judging. Artists are encouraged to capture scenes from their surroundings, though interpretation is flexible.
“Technically, you can paint anything,” Heavner said. “But the scope of plein air is trying to capture what is right there, trying to capture the lighting before it changes.”
Entry fees are $25 for Owensboro Art Guild members and $35 for nonmembers, while participants under 18 may enter free of charge. An adult must accompany artists 16 and younger. Registration is encouraged in advance, though artists may still sign up on the morning of the event.
Heavner estimated the event typically draws around 20 or more artists, ranging from experienced plein air painters to beginners trying it for the first time.
“We have professional plein air painters there, all the way down to people who have never done it and just want to try it,” she said.
Artists will receive lunch, snacks, and drinks as part of their registration, and awards will be presented following judging. Many of the completed works will also be available for purchase.
“All of the artwork will be for sale,” Heavner said. “Not everyone has to sell their work, but a lot of it will be available.”
The event was founded by local artist Joni Heap and has been held at the botanical garden each year.
Applications must be submitted by May 30, and forms can be mailed to the Owensboro Art Guild or completed online.
Heavner encouraged both artists and community members to attend.
“Even if you’re not an artist, just getting out there and watching the artists work — it’s such a neat experience,” she said. “We’re all in the same space, and it’s amazing to see what everybody comes up with.”
