Artists from near and far come to Grand Marais every year to take part in the Plein Air outdoor painting competition held by the Grand Marais Art Colony. Cash prizes are on the line for the weeklong contest. On September 14 there will be a Quick Paint match held on Artist Point. Artists will be given an hour and a half to complete their work of art.
There’s a hint of color and it’s not just on the trees – it’s that time of year where artists are on the loose. Plein Air Grand Marais is here and kicking off with a bang at Pincushion Mountain on Saturday, September 9 at 1 p.m. It’s a great chance to see these outdoor painters early on in the competition and watch as they capture the distinct harbor of Grand Marais from a bird’s eye view.
Hosted by the Grand Marais Art Colony, Plein Air Grand Marais is a weeklong outdoor painting competition that culminates in an exhibit showcasing the North Shore landscape.
Eighty artists will be painting throughout Cook County to capture the beauty of this region. Chasing fleeting moments of changing light, these artists must both depict what the scene looks like, as well as the feeling it evokes. That is quite the challenge, but they are also competing for cash prizes!
The first place winner receives $1,000, 2nd place award is $500, and 3rd place receives $250. Other competition categories include the Quick Paint which is completed in an hour and a half at Artist Point on Thurs., Sept. 14; a Night Paint (painted between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.); the Sense of Place Award (best represents the feeling of this area); the Red Suspenders Invitational (a bracketed competition of past winners, stop by the Art Colony to vote throughout the week); and finally, the People’s Choice Award (determined by guests at the Opening Reception).
The event hosts a variety of ways for people to meet artists and learn about outdoor painting.
“One of my favorite components of the event is that people can stop by the Art Colony and pick up a map of painting locations,” said Amy Demmer, executive director of the Art Colony. “I think of it as an Artist Scavenger Hunt. It’s the perfect day trip to explore the fall colors and watch artists paint!” She also mentioned there is something for everyone, from the “Artist Scavenger Hunt” to watching artists during the Quick Paint to attending a class with the competition juror, Kami Mendlik on Composition and Color in the Landscape.
For those looking to learn more about viewing an exhibit like this, Hazel Belvo will walk people through the show on Saturday, Sept. 16 and talk about how to use visual language to interact with and respond to the artwork.
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