Welcome to 2015 EnPleinAirTEXAS!
What is EnPleinAirTEXAS?
EnPleinAirTEXAS began its 2014 inaugural debut in San Angelo, Texas, bringing the 'abstract' dream of a national juried plein air competition to 'realism'. The event is hosted by the vibrant San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, awarded numerous prestigious national honors; along with a colorful palette of talented and energetic volunteers and local artists.
What make this plein air event different from others?
Our surprising and interesting 'Plein Air' history. In 1921, in the small community of Christoval, just south of San Angelo, a local gathering of artists founded the Texas Artists Camp. In its seven years of existence, it grew to be one of the leading institutions of its kind in the Southwest. More about the Christoval Texas Artists Camps will be featured on our website soon.
We believe our competition artists will experience some of the same inspiration that attracted those early painters when they arrived on the wide open spaces of West Texas. There is diversity around every bend in the road ~ from vast ranchlands to the tree-lined emerald green waters of the South Concho River; from nationally recognized architectural treasures to the international water lily gardens. Spectacular Texas sunrises and sunsets, San Angelo's friendly "howdy" to newcomers, and the unexpected eclectic charm this beautiful area has to offer will call you back to compete in the years to come!
2015 Dates ~ Artist Selection ~ Awards
EnPleinAirTEXAS takes place October 25 - November 1, 2015, in San Angelo, Texas. Host homes are available for all competition artists beginning October 23rd. Artist Registration, Orientation, and Canvas-Stamping will be Sunday afternoon, October 26th, followed by a Welcome Reception at the museum.
Any plein air painter may apply online for a $40 fee. Artists are juried in by a nationally recognized juror and will paint in San Angelo and the surrounding areas for 5 days, competing for over $13,000 in cash prizes. Their paintings are exhibited and are for sale during the final weekend in the Quartermaster Building at Fort Concho, a National Historic Landmark built in 1868 and the first home of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts.
The San Angelo community has partnered with the museum to support this inaugural effort, with colorful public events all week long to give everyone the opportunity to interact with the artists as they paint in a variety of venues.
The Friday night Collectors' STAMPEDE & Awards Presentation will kick-off a weekend of historic sales of artwork by our Competition Artists. The sales from the Inaugural 2014 EnPleinAirTEXAS event topped $125,000! The exhibit will continue to be highlighted at Saturday's 2 hour 'Quick-Draw' Paint Out and through Sunday afternoon.
The dream of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts is to connect the area's unexpected plein air history with our West Texas community and with artists from around the world, and to create an ongoing artistic dialogue, increasing the visibility and participation in plein air painting with children, adults, and smaller West Texas communities. Our goal is to raise funds to support this dream through future annual EnPleinAirTEXAS events, as well as smaller plein air events during the year.
Important Dates for 2015:
February 1, 2015 ~ Artists may apply online for a $40 fee and should be prepared to download 3 plein air paintings.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015 ~ Final date for Artist Applications: due by 12:00 midnight CST. Artist Application signifies that Artist agrees to be an active participant in the weeks' events, should they be selected for the 2015 EnPleinAirTEXAS Competition.
Friday, May 29, 2015 ~ 2015 Competition Artists selections will be announced online and those artists will be notified.
Friday, October 23, 2015 ~ Host family housing available.
Sunday, October 25, 2015 ~ Artists Orientation and Canvas-Stamping.
Monday, October 26, 2015 ~ Late Registration & Orientation (must pre-arrange).
October 26- Nov.2, 2015 ~ Artists are expected to participate in daily paint-outs and events.
Friday, October 30, 2015 ~ Artists turn in their 2 competition paintings this morning, and are expected to attend the Collectors' STAMPEDE this evening at the Quartermaster Building at Fort Concho.
Saturday, October 31, 2015 ~ Artists are expected to participate in the 2 hour 'Quick Draw' Paint Out today from 10am - 12 noon. Canvases are brought to Orient Street in Old Town, just south of the museum & Windmill, for judging and awards.
Sunday, November 1, 2015 ~ Any unsold paintings should be picked up by 2:00 p.m. and may be added to your back-up painting gallery at the Quartermaster for the remainder of the weekend.
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