2024 Adirondack Plein Air Festival sees success

SARANAC LAKE | This year's Plein Air event might better be known as the Haze Air Festival as the smoke swept in from the Canadian wildfires. But the truth is that 40 Plein Air artists, from 12 states, Quebec, and the Faroe Islands, had a great week of painting and the huge exhibit in the Town Hall drew hundreds of visitors. The 1st Place prize, $1,500 cash and merchandise, sponsored by Saranac Lake ArtWorks, North Country Savings Bank, Ampersand Bay Resort and Streamline Publishing, went to Connecticut artist Jim Laurino. Jim has attended the Adirondack Plein Air Festival for a number of years and has often won an award, but never 1st place. His oil painting focused on the Ausable River as it flows through the Wilmington Notch. George Van Hook, from Cambridge, N.Y., and 2023 winner, was awarded the 2nd Place "Founders, Spirit of the Wilderness" Award, sponsored by a private donor. He received $1,000 and merchandise. Third Place, $500, the Tom Boothe Memorial Award, sponsored by the Hoyt family, went to Pennsylvania artist Fred Jackson. A new award in 2024, $500 was donated by the Adirondack Rail Trail Association for the best painting done on or from the new rail trail, went to Quebec artist Patricia Bellerose. The following awards were each $250 in cash plus a variety of donated art products. Chantal Julien, Quebec, Adirondack Daily Enterprise Award Kari Ruiz, N.Y., Paul Smith's College VIC Award Patrick McPhee, N.Y., Bookstore Plus Award Peter Seward, Saranac Lake, Traverse lodge Award Oleg Shvets, Md., Nocturne Contest Winner, sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Federal Credit Union Kari Ruiz, N.Y., Artists Choice Award, sponsored by the Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery Jim Laurino, Winner of the Quick Draw Competition, sponsored by Adirondack Health Lastly, the public voted for their favorite artist. Robin Roberts of Ohio won by a narrow margin. Photos of all the winners and their paintings can be found on ArtWorks Facebook page and website. The 2024 Adirondack Plein Air Festival was also a tremendous accomplishment for ArtWorks first-year employee Lorraine Merrihew of Saranac Lake. She took over the reins from event founder and ArtWorks board president Sandra Hildreth. "It was incredible to see the talent of each artist. Seeing hundreds of blank canvases become beautiful works in a week's time was amazing," said Merrihew. The dates for the 2025 17th Adirondack Plein Air Festival are already set for Aug. 18-23. The Festival is the primary fund-raising event for Saranac Lake ArtWorks. ArtWorks is now looking for people in the Saranac Lake area who might be willing to host an artist during the week of the 2025 Festival. A firm commitment is not required at this time, just let them know that you might consider it and they'll get back to you next June. All that is needed is a private room and bathroom, and perhaps kitchen privileges. No meals or entertaining and the artists are instructed to gift a painting to their hosts as a token of their appreciation. Contact Lorraine at admin@saranaclakeartworks.org to find out more about being a host.

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2024 Adirondack Plein Air Festival sees success

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