Plein Air Festival returning to Parrsboro in June

Artists from across the continent will display their creativity when they take part in the Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival.

“This is only our second year for this festival, and the level of the submissions has been impressive to say the least,” said festival board chair Michael Fuller. “We have some of the very best plein air painters in North America joining us this year, and our festival judge, Richard Sneary, is recognized as one of the top watercolour artists in the USA.”

Plein refers to a 19th-century style of painting outdoors, or with a sense of the open air.

Artists, chosen by jurors Joy Laking and Bill Rogers, will be in Parrsboro June 14-17, competing for more than $6,000 while creating works of art. They head to their chosen locations early on Thursday, June 14, and are required to complete all of their work by 5 p.m. on Saturday June 16. Paintings are them framed and mounted, and placed on exhibition at The Hall, 44 King Street, in Parrsboro.

Parrsboro Crative will provide a list of where the artists will be working each day, and people are welcome to stop by and watch.

“Plein air is the fastest growing art movement in the history of North America, and the word is already out and spreading fast that the Parrsboro International Plein Air Festival is a premier event and that the Parrsboro Shore is one of the most spectacular places to paint,” said Parrsboro Creative Executive Director Robert More.

The Awards Night and Collectors Preview will be held 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, June 16. Tickets for this catered affair are $100, but this can be put toward the purchase of a painting.

Art sales for this year’s festival are at The Hall and Art Lab Studios and Gallery on Sunday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, or to purchase tickets for the awards night, visit the Parrsboro Creative website at parrsborocreative.com.