JOIN US this October, as The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts and the area welcome 34 of the best representational plein air painters in the world, hailing from 18 states, Nova Scotia, and Italy. Spend a week with us as these fine artists paint our towns and the surrounding countryside, 'en plein air' ~ the French term for painting out in the open air. Artists were selected by juror Kenn Backhaus out of a talented field of applicants from 29 states and 3 countries.
Visitors are entertained with a full week of mostly FREE events: opportunities to watch the artists painting in historic downtown San Angelo and the international water lily gardens, free talks & demos, the exhibit and sale of over 275 paintings of the area, and an exciting first-time ever Quick-Draw event at the San Angelo Roping Fiesta (open to any artist for a $10 fee). See the 2017 Itinerary button for full details!
This exciting week of activities, and over $16,000 in prize money, is possible because of committed volunteers and generous financial support from the community. In 2015, local arts patron Elta Joyce McAfee gifted an endowment to the museum to ensure the future of EnPleinAirTEXAS. To honor her parents and family name, the Grand Prize is proudly named "The Elta Joyce Murphey Award".
EnPleinAirTEXAS is a legend among the plein air artist community and in only it's 4th year, already considered to be one of the top plein air competitions in the country. How did this happen?
Artists are wowed not only by what they see to paint, but in how they are welcomed with our West Texas Hospitality. The community and visitors alike have embraced the artists, housing them in their homes, and helping sales of artwork top a record-breaking $220,000 in 2016.
We understand we are bringing the 'best of the best' to San Angelo. The artists' paintings are a piece of our Texas history, a moment in time captured on canvas or paper in their own award-winning artistic style. We also realize our investment is not only in a serious art movement, but also an investment in our museum and our community.
EnPleinAirTEXAS aspires to change and enhance the culture of San Angelo, giving us a prominent spot in the international plein air movement and showcasing us as a national arts destination. It will certainly emerge as a signature annual event for San Angelo and TEXAS in years to come.
Help us welcome the talented 2017 Competition Artists who are excited to have been chosen for this year's event! Come enjoy a week full of interaction with amazing artists: welcome parties, luncheons, talks & demos, the exciting Art Collectors STAMPEDE & Awards Party, and "Rope Yourself a Painting Saturday!" with the Quick Draw events and a special Saturday night party! See the full schedule of events under the '2017 Competition' tab at the top of the page.
The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts welcomes you to the 2017 EnPleinAirTEXAS event! To find out more about the museum, click the SAMFA button on the top right of the page.
Howard Taylor, Director, SAN ANGELO MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
Barbara Rallo, Coordinator/Co-Chair EnPleinAirTEXAS
Treva Boyd, Co-Chair EnPleinAirTEXAS
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