This September, 50 artists from across the country will gather together to paint the autumn splendor of Steamboat Springs and Colorado’s beautiful Yampa Valley. The annual Plein Air Event, hosted by the Steamboat Art Museum, is a weeklong celebration of plein air painting, in which patrons and art lovers can join in to watch artists capture the region’s historic towns, ranches and mountain vistas. 
Orville Giguento, Yampa’s Twin Butte, watercolor, 13 x 19”. First Prize Professional Division at the 2021 Plein Air Event.
Plein Air Event, running September 23 to 30, is filled with a variety of events throughout its run, including the quickdraw and art sale in collaboration with Main Street Steamboat at the farmer’s market on September 25. During the quickdraw, artists are given two hours to complete a painting on site, with the resulting paintings being framed and displayed for sale at the SAM booth at the farmer’s market.
Sharon Rusch Shaver paints during the quickdraw at the farmer’s market.
“2022 will be the fourth year we hold the quickdraw at the farmer’s market, and we expect great response from the public,” says Dancy Gould St. John, museum assistant and grants manager at the Steamboat Art Museum, and one of the organizers of the Plein Air Event. “Sales are strong, vendors at the market love the buzz it creates, artists love the large audience and patrons (new and returning) love that the event is easily accessible and free.”
Artist Mark Akins works on a painting during the quickdraw.
Other events include the Sunset Reception with the Artists on September 28, a ticketed meet-and-greet reception at the Alpine Mountain Ranch; as well as Paint the Town Day on September 29, in which artists paint within the town of Steamboat.
“We are [also] excited to have the esteemed plein air and studio oil painter, Lyn Boyer, as our judge this year,” says Gould St. John. “Lyn is an award-winning plein air and studio artist from Durango, Colorado…Lyn will be presenting an evening talk about her work at SAM, as well as teaching her “No Fear Oil Painting” workshop [from October
1 to 3], immediately following SAM Plein Air.”
Adam Zabel, Stagecoach Waterfront, oil, 9 x 12”. Second Prize Professional Division at the 2021 Plein Air Event.
The exhibition’s opening reception, awards and sale takes place September 30 at Steamboat Art Museum. First, second and third place, as well as two honorable mentions will be awarded by the judge with cash and merchandise prizes for professional division and open division, creating a more level playing field for artists at all stages of their careers.
Paintings created during Plein Air Event 2022 will remain on display at Steamboat Art Museum through November 5. —
Plein Air Event 2022
September 23-30, 2022
Various locations around Steamboat Springs, CO
(970) 870-1755
www.steamboatartmuseum.org
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