AWARDS: Juror Victor Frailing reviewed the plein air artwork following the two days of painting. A CASH AWARD will be given for the Best In Show, $3,000, 2nd Place, $1,000, on Saturday evening along with 3rd Place, $500, CASH awards. Additional non-monetary awards given for Top Rural, Top Waterway and Top Urban paintings. Big Thanks to juror Victor Frailing for selecting this year’s winners.
BEST IN SHOW: Orit Reuben
Honorable Mentions:
What is Plein Air Painting?:
Plein air painting is about leaving the four walls of your studio behind and experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape. The practice goes back for centuries but was truly made into an art form by the French Impressionists. Their desire to paint light and its changing, ephemeral qualities, coupled with the creation of transportable paint tubes and the box easel—the precursor to the plein air easels of today—allowed artists the freedom to paint “en plein air,” which is the French expression for “in the open air.”
SCCA PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL: Tuesday, September 7 – Saturday, September 11, 2021, featured artist Thomas Bradshaw of Blackstone, VA and 38 talented artists from all over VA, MD, NC, SC and FL painted Suffolk’s historic downtown, beautiful farmland, and pristine waterfront. This festival is presented by:The Suffolk Art League, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, and Suffolk Tourism.
FESTIVAL Schedule of Events
Tuesday, SEPT. 7, 2021
9:00 AM Check in for Thomas Bradshaw Plein Air Two Day Workshop
Wednesday, SEPT. 8, 2021
9:00 AM Check in for Thomas Bradshaw Plein Air Two Day Workshop=
Thursday, SEPT. 9, 2021
4 – 6 PM – Artist Registration and Artist Welcome Reception. (Invitation Only) Stamp your canvases at the Suffolk Cultural Arts Center
Friday, SEPT. 10, 2021
8:30-9:30 AM – Artist Registration continues at the Suffolk Center.
8:30 AM – 4 PM – Plein Air Painting Starts, Rain or Shine. Artists will be provided with suggested painting locations throughout Suffolk, VA.
4:30 PM – Artist’s Dinner at The Suffolk Art Gallery, (Invitation Only)
Saturday, SEPT. 11, 2021
9 AM – Artist DEMO by Thomas Bradshaw
11 AM – Quick Draw Check-In begins at the Taste of Suffolk Downtown Street Festival on Main Street.
12 – 2 PM – Quick Draw painting at Taste of Suffolk.
2 – 2:30 PM – Quick Draw Painters bring work to the garden area between the Courthouse and the building housing Harper’s Table for judging.
2 – 3:30 PM – Quick Draw Wet Paint Sale and Awards
6:30 – 7:30 PM – VIP Sponsors and Patrons Pre-Sale Reception
7:30 – 9:30 PM – WET PAINT SALE Cocktail Reception: The cost for this special event is $100 per person / Space is Limited! The evening includes: Heavy Hors d’oeuvres • Open bar • Live Music • Wet Paint Sale showcasing the newly painted works of art by the invited and juried artists, providing guests with first access to purchasing the new artwork created during the Plein Air Invitational.
8:00 PM – ART RAFFLE Drawing ~ Need not be present to win!
Sunday, SEPT. 12, 2021
9:00 AM – 10:30AM – Artist’s Brunch (Invitation Only) Artists will pick up unsold work.
ART RAFFLE
“Seaboard Railroad Station en Plein Air”
Artist: Brian Murphy
Medium: Oil Painting
Size: 12 x16”, plus frame, value: $900
Tickets: $10 or 3 for $25
WINNER: GIN STAYLOR
QUICK DRAW COMPETITION
Open to all Levels, Ages & Abilities
Date: Saturday, September 11, Noon – 2:00 PM Early registration encouraged.
Where: Main Street stage at the Taste of Suffolk Festival
LEARN MORE
WET PAINT SALE & RECEPTION
THOMAS BRADSHAW WORKSHOP
Dates: September 7 & 8 , 2021
Cost: $195 / person
Level: Seasoned Artists
Description: This workshop is designed for seasoned artists who want to learn more about using a limited palette and incorporating greys in a plein air piece. Thomas will demonstrate his process step by step, giving you plenty of time to paint during and after the demo. You will be able to show him your work in progress and get personal feedback.
LEARN MORE
PAINTING LOCATIONS
The Suffolk Plein Air Festival committee has secured permission for artists and art enthusiasts to gather for this outdoor painting experience in our beautiful city that is SUFFOLK! Artists can paint at any of the 12 locations throughout the Plein Air Festival, September 9-11.
SEE LOCATIONS
MEET THE PLEIN AIR ARTISTS
The Professional Plein Air Artists participating in Suffolk Plein Air come from Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and as far away as Florida. Get to know them, watch them paint and purchase their original artworks!
LEARN MORE
INVITATIONAL ART GALLERY
Plein Air Artists were invited to display their favorite artworks created prior to the start of the Suffolk Plein Air Festival. This is a great opportunity to get familiar with their painting styles and techniques. Artwork is available for purchase.
SEE ARTWORK
JOIN THE SUFFOLK CENTER PLEIN AIR SOCIETY!
Lead by artists Barbara Harris and Sandy Waters, the Plein Air Society encourages interest in the plein air method of painting designating monthly painting locations throughout the Hampton Roads Area. Membership is open to all levels. The Plein Air Society meets the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10 AM – 2 PM at the Suffolk Center, 110 W. Finney Ave., Suffolk, VA 23434. REGISTER HERE
