A newly popular term, Plein Air refers to a painting done outside rather than in a studio, from the French term en plein air meaning 'in the open air'. The Getty Museum describes Plein Air as an art movement begun in France that included painting subjects outside and creating seemingly unarranged images of nature. Plein Air was made possible with the introduction of portable metal tubes that could replace pig bladders for holding pigments. The Impressionists were particularly interested in the influence of changing light outdoors on color. The Italian word for plein air painting is alfresco.

Plein air art enthusiasts are invited to come participate in this year's competition. The Escalante Canyons Art Festival will be September 19-23, 2010 with cash prizes totaling $7,500. Awards will be given in two categories: Oil/Acrylics and Watercolor/Mixed-media. Artists can paint from September 19-23, and can sign-in and have their canvases stamped as early as Sunday, September 19. Entries must be submitted on Thursday, September 23 from the late afternoon to the early evening.

The schedule makes it convenient for painters to have an artist/vendor booth at the festival in addition to competing in the plein air competition. Since entries must be turned in on Thursday evening, there is ample time to set up and work your booth on Friday and Saturday. We certainly encourage our artists to have a booth. A downloadable version of the application is on the “Artisan and Vendors” tab.

As we did last year, we are providing scholarship money to the Fine Arts Program of Southern Utah University in Cedar City Utah.

Entry Fee is $35 per category. Registration due by, or postmarked no later than September 11, 2010. Refunds not provided. Late registration is not encouraged and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for an additional cost of $50 per category. Student entry fee is $20 per category and must be accompanied by a copy of a current student ID.

This year we will be providing a student award in cooperation with the Red Canyon Visitor Center. Red Canyon Visitor Center is providing a gallery area with excellent light and security to display the works of one award winning student artist’s work for TWO months. The award will be made by ECAF and judged along with the other works. The winning student will have until next April to develop their show which must include scenes from the Red Canyon area and the remainder of the exhibit must be scenes from along Hwy 12. Details and stipulations for the award will be discussed in more depth with the winner. After the show opens in April, the artist is welcome to do "artist in resident" work around the Red canyon area. Red canyon Visitors center will not provide printed promo or a reception.

The exhibit will be from April to June the year after the award is given. The artist can sell works through the "Bryce canyon Natural History Association" who will take 30% commission of sales. The artist must complete and frame entries and make some extra artwork if and when sales occur. Forest Service cannot do the money transactions.

Plein Air Competition Prizes:
One “Purchase Award” in each medium category: $1500
Two Awards of Merit in each medium category: $500
Five Honorable Mentions in each medium category: $200
One People’s Choice Award (voted by the public): $250
One Artist Choice Award (voted by the participating artists): $250
New Prize – Exhibit at Red Canyon Visitors Center
Please note that the Escalante Canyons Art Festival organization will collect a 25% sales commission on all paintings entered into and auctioned during the Plein Air competition, or sold in conjunction with the competition.

Schedule:
Sunday – Thursday, September 19 – 26
Authentication: Oil/acrylic –up to five surfaces for authentication
Watercolor/pastel/mixed media – up to five surfaces for authentication
Bring painting surfaces to the indicated sign-in location for authentication.
Each participant must complete a landscape painting within Garfield, Kane or Wayne counties.
Although participants may paint on all of their authenticated surfaces, only one painting per category may be entered. The surface must be framed, unsigned if an oil/acrylic, and ready to hang by 7 p.m. on Thursday. The authentication stamp must be visible.

Wednesday, September 22
Artists Reception: 7 – 9 pm, Escalante Interagency Visitor Center
For artists and committee members.

Thursday, September 23
Check-in: 3 – 7 pm, Escalante Community Center
Submit one framed surface per category. If not under glass, entry must be unsigned.

Friday, September 24
Judging: 8 – 10 am, Escalante Community Center
Closed to the public and artists

Plein Air Exhibition: 10 am – 6 pm, Escalante Community Center
People’s and artists’ choice voting and auction registration.

Saturday, September 25
Plein Air Exhibition: 10 am – 6:30 pm, Escalante Community Center People’s and artists’ choice voting and silent auction.

Meet the Artist Gala: 5:30 – 8 pm, Escalante Community Center
Gala, appetizers, auction and award announcements.

Sunday, September 26
Post show and no-host brunch with the artists: 9 – 11 am, Kiva Koffeehouse

Click Here for the 2010 Mail-in Registration Form, Entry Fee, Deadline, Prizes, Rules and Schedule (.pdf )

Click Here for 2010 Artist Registration Online