2 - ARTS IN THE PARK • SUMMER/FALL 2022
14th Adirondack Plein Air festival
(Provided photo)
S
aranac Lake ArtWorks is hosting the 14th Adirondack Plein Air Festival Aug. 15-20 — a week of painting activities and events intended to challenge the participating artists as well as entertain the general public. Artists from all over the country apply for this event and the top 40, as scored by a selection team of three plein air painters, get invited to attend. The event will be coordinated by Jane Davis as event founder, Sandra Hildreth, retires. There is a “Meet the Artist” reception at the Hotel Saranac on Monday, Aug. 15, from 7-9 p.m. Come see if your favorite artist has returned or watch as some begin their nocturne paintings after the sun sets. Tuesday, Aug. 16, is the best day to watch the artists at work, as they will all be painting along the family friendly trails at the Paul Smiths College VIC. There are many scenic painting spots there as well as at the Black Pond trail area on Keese Mill Road. Wednesday, Aug. 17, the artists are free to paint anywhere, so they’ll be harder to find. Keep your eyes open for cars pulled off the side of the road at scenic locations. Thursday, Aug. 18, it’s all about Saranac Lake! It’s “Paint the Town” Day and the 40 participating artists will find their inspiration in the village. Some will choose the lake or river views, others may focus on historic buildings or street scenes. This is when the small paintings are done and submitted for the “Paint the Town” Silent Auction, which will be set up at the Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery, 52 Main St., by 5 p.m. It’s also a 3rd Thursday ArtWalk evening, so many other area artists and crafts people will have their displays set up on the sidewalks and several venues will host live music. It’s 100% immersion in the arts! Friday, Aug. 19 is the deadline. Artists are invited to come paint at the Saranac Lake Fish & Game Club in the morning, but will need to deliver their framed paintings for the exhibit at 10 a.m. They will be free to continue paintings while their framed pieces are being judged by Carol Douglas, an artist from Maine. The “Special Preview
Party” opens in the Town Hall at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased online, through the ArtWorks website, or at the door. Ticket holders will have the first chance to see the 200-300 brand new, still wet, paintings and to find out who the prize winners are. Each year the event gives out around $5000 in prizes, many donated by long-standing supporters in our community. Saturday, Aug. 20 is a day of fun. There is a “Quick Draw” competition from 9-11 a.m. where artists will only have two hours to do a painting. Most will paint in the Village so they can bring their completed paintings to the front of the Town Hall for judging at 11:30 a.m. The Show & Sale in the Town Hall will open at noon with free admission. The Silent Auction will be moved to the Town Hall and will end at 4 p.m. The Show & Sale will end at 5 p.m. and the festival will be over. This is a great opportunity to experience the Adirondacks
and bring home a truly unique souvenir — an original work of art! More information can be found at SaranacLakeArtWorks.org. Impossible to make the Adirondack Plein Air Festival in August? Well, the Saranac Lake event has inspired two additional plein air festivals held in Franklin County. The Downtown Artist Cellar in Malone will be holding the “Outside Art Affair,” beginning July 17. Artists need to register, but can then paint whenever they want to, in northern Franklin County, delivering their framed paintings to the Gallery for an exhibit the weekend of Aug 6-7. Find out more at DowntownArtistCellar.com. Tupper Arts is holding the Tupper Lake Plein Air Festival during peak fall color season: Oct. 5-9. The culminating exhibit will be held in the Tupper Arts building on Park Street with a reception Friday, Oct. 7 continuing through Oct 9. Check TupperArts. org for more information.
Deborah Geurtze – color etchings & oil on linen 391 Park Ave., Saranac Lake by appointment cell: 607.643.1931
