Ti Plein Air Festival returns this September

TICONDEROGA | As one of Ti Arts' trademark autumn events, the Adirondack Harvest Plein Air Festival draws closer, and artists ranging from beginner all the way up to professional and nationally recognized will make their yearly trek to town. Armed with their supplies and optimism, the plein air participants are eager to get started on the collector's pieces they will create. "I'm looking forward to returning to places that I love in order to explore them more fully, and seeking out new ones that I haven't seen before," artist George Van Hook reflected. "As I've become more familiar with this particular landscape, I'm trying to dig deeper into what it means to me, not just copying the landscape, but trying to give it more personal meaning." While the evenings turn cooler and the first hints of color begin to appear on the leaves, for the group of artists, Mother Nature's turn-of-events is anything but bittersweet. In fact, it is a welcome change, as the peppering of alizarin crimson, cadmium red, and brilliant yellow adds not only to the palette of an artist, but creates stunning visual interest for a landscape. "Plein air" is a French term that translates into "in the open air." Artists embrace this practice of outdoor painting because it allows for capturing the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color and movement into their work. Spontaneous and unpredictable, plein air releases artists from the physical confines of their studios and from the expected confines of realism. It's a subversive experience, where emotions are flowing just as much as paint. This year's festival will run from Tuesday, Sept. 16th through Saturday, Sept. 20 in the afternoon. The opening reception will be Friday, Sept. 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the gallery, free with refreshments and open to the public. This marks the 12th year that the festival has been happening, and has become a major fundraiser for the Ti Arts Downtown Gallery. Artists are encouraged to complete five pieces, with each one available for purchase at the gallery. "This festival is intended to be available for local artists," said Fred Holman, artist and Ti Arts Vice President, adding that the festival typically attracts between 15 and 20 artists of varying styles and mediums. "We are trying to keep it community-related- we keep it small for the local people that want to get involved." Ticonderoga, nestled in the Adirondack mountains, has no shortage of inspiring landscapes for source material. For Van Hook, coming to town every year has provided him with a never-ending cycle of images. And though they have tread upon the hallowed ground of Fort Ticonderoga, Silver Bay, Montcalm Street, and the rural roads going both north and south away from town, the artists never fail to delight in the undiscovered surprises of Ti's well-loved earth. "I love the environment here, both natural and human," he said. "Painting the lake, the mountains, the river and the charming park, the landscape is simply stunning. The people are wonderful, so friendly, and so supportive of our being there. No matter where you are painting, people give you a smile and a wave." Members of the community are encouraged to do more than smile and wave- approaching the artists and engaging in conversation is welcome, the artists happy to discuss their craft and technique to curious passersby. "As one of the founders of the event, I am most proud of how the community welcomes and embraces these artists - it is a feeling that is genuine and rare," noted artist Susan Beadle. "This event is as much about the people as it is about the art." When making the pilgrimage to Ticonderoga for the festival, the artists are also treated to local hospitality with Ti Arts members opening their homes to their guests, providing home-cooked meals and offering something to do every evening. In addition to a kaleidoscope of talent, the plein air festival is a welcome social retreat for artists to gather and enjoy the company of their contemporaries. "I think people would be surprised by how supportive we artists are of each other," Van Hook noted. "We're not really competing, we're all just enjoying the experience, and trying to do our best work." With many returning artists every year, the event is noted for fostering personal growth in their skill sets. With weather being unpredictable, the artists never know exactly what forces and circumstances they will have to tend with, and also have grown and explored beyond their comfort zones over the past decade. "The biggest change in my work over the years is the size - I'm painting larger pieces and enjoy the opportunity the larger scale presents," Beadle shared. "Familiarity is a blessing. I love painting the northern part of Lake George and thinking about how I'm going to approach familiar vistas anew." The Adirondack Harvest Plein Air Festival is made possible in part by Charles R. Wood Foundation and the New York State Council in the Arts (NYSCA ) with support from the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The Ti Arts Downtown Gallery is located at 119 Montcalm Street and is open free to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on the Harvest Plein Air Festival, email ticonderogaarts@gmail.com or visit ticonderogaarts.org.

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Ti Plein Air Festival returns this September

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