An Okotoks gallery is hosting a paint-out in the great outdoors this week.
Co-organized by artist Janet Armstrong and the Western Canada Artist Friends, Plein Air Paint Out at Lineham House kicks off June 22-24, where participating artists can take their brush and easel outdoors to paint directly off scenery as a reference, rather than in a studio.
“Plein air painting is growing in popularity because it’s connected with our love of the outdoors, it’s in tandem with the hiking movement, with anything about getting outside and enjoying nature,” saud Lineham House owner Cheryl Taylor.
“It became even more popular during COVID because people were limited in getting together, so what happened is plein air painters often are part of a group, and during COVID when they couldn’t, they could still do it outside and so it drew more artists to the medium if they wanted to connect with their arts community.”
With similar events taking place in the hamlet of Rosebud and at the Leighton Art Centre, Lineham House is hoping to expand the region’s base for plein air.
“We did it last year and it was just a small thing we organized for a Canada Day pop-up, but this time we've got three times the artists,” Taylor said.
While Lineham House is providing the base for artists, and some do opt to paint Elma Street’s idyllic environs, Taylor said they are welcome to pitch their easel anywhere in the Foothills.
“We will be recommending a list of places which goes well beyond down the street,” Taylor said.
While plein air paint has been around probably as long as there’s been paint and canvas, the format has gained popularity in modern history.
“Throughout the world there’s some very large plein air festivals,” Taylor said.
“We’re hoping to grow a real plein air base for Alberta and make it a real destination.”
As artists flock to the area’s scenery, Taylor hopes it will encourage more discourse among artists and passersby alike.
“We encourage people to get out and meet new artists and talk to them about their craft and why they chose what they're choosing, and to see ultimately what they produced at this Saturday,” she said.
The event has drawn artists from all over, creating an economic overlap with accommodations and eateries.
“A lot of the artists are coming for more than two days and are already booked into hotels,” Taylor said.
“They’ve got Wednesday, Thursday, Friday night booked into hotels and they’ll be here for meals and everything else, so it’s bringing some new people into our community.”
For more information visit facebook.com/linehamhouseokotoks.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2429832280516922/
