En plein air is a French phrase that means “in the open air” in English. The term comes from 19th century France when renowned artists like John Constable and Claude Monet embraced landscape painting outside, in the elements of nature, according to Lyndy Bush of Women’s Caucus for Art Colorado Chapter (WCACO).
“Monet said that the light changes every seven minutes. So you really only have seven minutes to capture whatever it is you’re looking at because it’s going to be different in a few minutes,” Bush said.
This summer, WCACO is coming to Littleton for the town’s first plein air art festival sponsored by the caucus, which is funded by Littleton’s Arts and Culture Grant program. The festival will be two days long, from Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, June 29.
Artists will paint at Littleton’s parks, outdoor patios and the Hudson Gardens, capturing the city’s scenery and iconic landmarks. Some of the works created during the festival will be exhibited in August at the Town Hall Arts Center’s Stanton Art Gallery.
“What makes us different than a normal gallery situation is that these (artworks) are done quickly and they’re usually smaller because you have to carry them around with you,” Bush said. “A lot of people walk around outside while the artists are painting, and we’re going to have little cards on us so we can just hand out information about the gallery. They saw (a painting) getting painted, and so when they go to the gallery, that’s a memory for them as well.”
All female-identifying artists are encouraged to participate. Artists do not need to be residents of Littleton to take part of the festival, yet the art must be created within the city limits. Artists do not have to pay to participate.
In-person registration is required for all artists, which will take place on June 28 from 8-10 a.m. at Alley Arts Studio at 2217 W. Powers Ave. The first 60 female artists to register are guaranteed one piece in the exhibit in Stanton Gallery.
Artists must bring all of the materials they plan on using for their work – including blank canvases, paper, brushes and paints – to be stamped at registration. Artists can also use any medium as long as it is stamped.
“I know of some ceramicists and mosaic artists that are planning to come and make mosaics live outside – which is interesting to me because most people think about painting, but you can do anything outside,” Bush said.
While the Hudson Gardens will be available for the first 25 artists who show up each day of the festival, the caucus will hand out maps of suggested locations around Littleton for artists to work.
“My favorite part is when people … come up and watch,” Bush said. “Usually we’re in our studios alone. No one sees us painting. But (in this festival), people would come up behind you and it made you nervous at first. I had people stand behind me for the entirety of the whole painting, just watching the whole thing come together. I find it cool because these aren’t always people that would go to an art gallery, they were just out on a walk.”
The Town Hall Arts Center takes 10% commission on sales. Purchased pieces can be taken by the buyer at the time of the sale. If artists make more than one piece, they can bring it to the drop-off in case there is extra room for display or it can replace a purchased work.
Art at the Stanton Gallery is typically priced at $200 or less. However, artists can sell their work at any price. Artists will receive payment from the WCACO after the show closes.