For four days from Thursday, June 18 through Sunday, June 21, the Artists Association of Nantucket (AAN) will host the annual Plein Air Nantucket.
Plein Air Nantucket is open to all artists, at any skill level, who wish to paint in the fresh air and pristine scenery of the island, and enjoy the camaraderie of painting with their peers.
A huge proponent of en plein air painting, Frank Swift Chase taught outdoor art classes on Nantucket starting in 1920 through the early 1950s, and the core of his regular students became the founders of the AAN. In this spirit, AAN hosts Plein Air Nantucket.
“This year I’m scheduling a plein air demonstration for Friday of the festival,” says AAN curator of exhibitions Robert Frazier. “And there will be a Saturday talk at the new Visual Arts Center, 24 Amelia Drive. We’re also continuing a feature added last year,” notes Frazier, “called the Wet Wall, where art works that have been completed can be posted at the Johnson Gallery immediately each day for the public to view and purchase.”
Interested artists may sign up on Thursday, June 18 beginning at 9:30 am in the gallery. There is a small entry fee of $10 for up to 4 wet works. All artists’ canvases are limited to either 9” x 12” or 12” x 16” and will be stamped by the AAN at registration.
The designated painting area runs from Steps Beach through all of town to Great Point. Artists should not violate private property restrictions. The majority of the work should be painted on location and all art needs to be returned to the gallery by 4 pm Sunday, June 21 for judging.
Plein Air Nantucket concludes on Sunday, June 21, with the Frank Swift Chase Awards presentation and public reception at 6 pm in the Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery. All are welcome to attend this free reception.
