Artists of all ages and skill levels from throughout the region are gathering in Star Valley next week, September 13-20, for the Star Valley Arts Council’s annual Plein Air event. Participants spend the week rendering images of outdoor scenes within a 60-mile radius of Afton in Star Valley, Grey’s River, Cokeville and Eastern Idaho.
Plein Air comes from the French en plein air, which means “in the open air.” Throughout the week, many of the Valley’s most scenic landscapes and beloved landmarks are depicted on canvas or paper, then prepared for judging and sale at public auction at the conclusion of the event.
Tuesday, September 16, is the Quick Draw event that brings interested artists to downtown Afton between 3 and 6 p.m., where they paint various views of main street, depicting the historic lane from several angles. The public is welcome and encouraged to watch.
Additionally, “Shanna Kunz, a professional artist and one of our event judges, will hold free Plein Air painting demonstrations on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20,” says Lxi Weber, who serves as Executive Director of the Arts Council. “Shanna is a fabulous teacher, and we are lucky to have this chance to learn from her. These sessions would be well worth your time.”
Friday morning’s demonstration will be offered at 10 a.m. at the Salt River Access at the end of White Tail Lane in Thayne. Friday evening, folks can find the demonstration at the Barn at Heiner Ranch at 2752 Thayne Bedford Road in Thayne at 6 p.m.
Saturday morning at 10 a.m., Kunz will offer her demonstration at the Canyon View Park at 400 Adams Street in Afton.
Winning artists, who will receive up to $2000 in cash for their work, will be honored at the awards ceremony on Friday, September 19, at 5 p.m. in the Afton Civic Center.
All completed works of art created throughout the Plein Air event will be available for public viewing and purchase in the Western Skies Fine Art Gallery at 912 Washington Street in Afton, on Friday, September 20 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday, September 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“We are so grateful to our generous community for sponsoring this event where such gifted individuals come to capture our beautiful home through the unique lens of a paint and brush artist,” says Janet Erickson, SVAC
Board Chair. “Please come out and see this amazing collection of pieces depicting our scenic Valley on canvas and take something wonderful home.”
