Moab Happenings Archive
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GALLERY HAPPENINGS October 2013

Plein Air Moab Festival, from Oct. 4th to 12th

Plein Air Moab offers a rare chance to see plein air artists in action and purchase original artwork. Painters try their best to capture the surrounding landscape and can often be seen along roadways, trails, and even the streets of downtown Moab anytime from Oct. 4th-12th. Artists compete for big prize money, inspire & learn from one another, and do what they love- paint and draw.

Plein Air Moab attracts amateur and professional artists from all over the US. This year is certainly no exception. Colorado artist Cliff Austen returns this year as the one to beat in all quick draw competitions. Cliff won both quick draw competitions last year, so his ability to produce quality artwork in a short amount of time is currently unparalleled. Indiana artist Lawrence Rudolech, last year’s Best of Show Grand Prize winner, and John Lintott of Grand Junction, last year’s First Place winner in the Oil/Acrylic Category, are both returning to see if they can claim the big prizes once again. In previous years, Moab artists have nabbed Honorable Mention awards. Local painter Tim Morse, fresh from his involvement in the invitational Grand Canyon Celebration of Art, Plein Air on the Rim, will certainly be one of many talented local artists to watch.

For the art collector, an event like Plein Air Moab is exhilarating. He or she may find something new from an established painter or find an affordable piece from a new up-and-coming artist in the festival’s art sales. Those that think of art collections as investments scour events like Plein Air Moab. A ticket to the Fancy Pants Soiree, Oct. 11th 3 pm, offers an exclusive opportunity to view and purchase Main Competition artwork before the general public. Apply the ticket value towards a painting of your choice.

Any potential art buyer can expect to find variety at Plein Air Moab, as over 400 pieces of artwork go on sale starting Thursday evening, Oct. 10th. Artist styles vary from the detailed to the expressive. Some artists prefer bold colors; others use a muted, almost monochrome palate. Some artists lean toward the realistic while others try to capture mood, feeling, or something a bit more elusive. Expect to find art for an investment of $20 - $1,500. Each artist sets his own price, and the delight is finding something you love amongst the myriad art options.

Sales take place at Castle Creek Winery, mile 14 on Route 128, on Oct. 8th 6:30 pm and at the MARC, 111 E. 100 N., from Oct. 10th-12th, beginning at 7:30 pm Thursday and ending at 9 pm Saturday. Pleinairmoab.com for details or call 435-259-6272

Plein Air Landscapes On Exhibit at Big Horn Gallery

Paintings by the Plein Air Painters of the Four Corners (PAP4C) are on exhibit at the Big Horn Gallery at Dead Horse Point State Park through Oct 30th. Moab artist Carolyn Dailey, a member of the group, is featured with 25 oil paintings. The show offers a variety of subjects from the Moab and greater 4 Corners area by artists using mediums of acrylic, pastel, oil and watercolor.

The public is invited to the show reception to be held on Saturday, October 5th from 3-5pm. Thomas Klema from Durango will be performing original guitar music and a brief poetry reading by Moab’s Larry Edwards will highlight the afternoon. Refreshments will be served.

The Plein Air Painters of the Four Corners began in 2001 as a group of like-minded artists who were passionate about creating art in the out-of-doors. Painting in nature allows for direct observation and capturing light, shadow and color on an intimate level. The group has grown to 40 members representing New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Arizona. Bimonthly paint out excursions have been held at various national and state parks including Dead Horse Point, Arches, Canyon de Chelly, Mesa Verde and Chaco, Monument Valley, and other scenic spots in the Four Corners region.

Members are represented in galleries across the nation as well as exhibiting in numerous national and regional juried shows. Annual group exhibitions have been on display in locations such as San Juan College in Farmington, The Farmington Museum, Fort Lewis College in Durango, The Durango Art Center, and Mesa Verde National Park.

Fifteen members of the group are participating in this show: Jane Clayton, Carolyn Dailey, Deborah Doty, Jeri Friesen, Jan Goldman, Sonya Johnson, Julane Jensen, Barbara Tobin Klema, Gayle Lewis, Mary MacAdams, Fran Mayfield, Helen Pruski, Stephen Unger and KK Walling.

The Big Horn Gallery is located in the Visitor’s Center of Dead Horse Point State Park (nine miles north of Moab on Hwy 191 and then 23 miles west on SR 313.) The Visitor Center is open daily from 8am to 6pm through mid-October.
Park admission is $10. For further information contact the park at 435-259-2614.

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