
	Arts on the Green 2010 What is Plein Air? Schedule of Events The Painters The Sculptors Patrons & Sponsors Visit the Wet Room

Plein Air Art & al Fresco Sculpture join Hands at the Inaugural "Arts on the Green" Festival in Cashiers, NC July 12-17, 2010

The Village Green Commons, Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC

Plein Air and QuickDraw Artists Juried Competitions

This is the opportunity of a lifetime to purchase art painted "Plein Air" outside in the majestic countryside and mountains of Cashiers, NC. Talented plein air artists from all over the United States applied with images of their works in hopes of being chosen for this competition. Twenty-four artists were selected from forty-seven juried entries. Awards of $2000 to the Best in Show and $1000 for Artists Choice are awarded on Friday, July 16 before the Gala.

Plein air artists in competitions typically paint two works a day and hang them in a "Wet Room". Repeated daily visits by collectors are encouraged to the VG Commons Wet Room from Wednesday, July 14 until the show closes at 5pm Saturday, July 17. This ever-changing exhibit of pastels, oils and watercolor works, feature paintings of local mountains, historic structures, pastoral views, flowers and people enjoying the great outdoors.

In addition to placing their daily works in the Wet Room, each artist is holding back one painting of his best work for first viewing at the Palette to Palate Affair on Friday, July 16. Works of art may be purchased out-right or bids entered on Wet Room sheets daily.

On Saturday, July 17, the Quick Draw competition features another group of artists, who also submitted their works for consideration. These juried artists paint one picture from 10am-1pm on Saturday, July 17. Quick Draw art is especially challenging due to the narrow window of time to paint coupled with interested on lookers, encourages artist to produce their best under pressure. Several local artists are participating in Quick Draw in hopes of winning the $1000 prize for best Quick Draw.

Sculpture Exhibit

The sculpture event kicks off on Tuesday with a lecture by Robin Salmon, renowned sculpture author and curator of collections at Brookgreen Gardens, home of the largest collection of outdoor figurative sculpture in the world. Her lecture, "Anna Hyatt Huntington: American Animalier", explores the amazing life of sculptress Anna Hyatt Huntington. The lecture begins at 7pm and includes a reception and dedication of the new Harmony Tower at The Village Green Commons.

On Friday, July 16, a grand ribbon cutting announces the opening of the sculpture exhibit and trail through the 12.5 acres of The Village Green. The sculpture exhibit features exceptional works by ten contemporary American sculptors. This bi-annual event began in 2008 and is made possible by a grant from the Gralnick Foundation. The exhibit remains in place until winter 2010 and is curated and installed by Academy Award-winning sculptor, Wesley Wofford.

Plein Air Events, Art Demonstrations and Lectures

Feeling a little blocked or need an artistic tune-up? Then join us for a visit with contemporary oil artist, Karen Weihs, for a demonstration at The Village Commons at 11 am on Wednesday, July 14. This event kicks off the opening of The Wet Room. Not only is Karen a gifted artist and hostess, she coordinated the Plein Air competition and call for entries all winter. This event is free to the community.

Who wouldn't be mesmerized hearing what it took to paint plein air in the great, unexplored American West? Guest lecturer, the renowned Andy Peters has a unique view of the process. As one of the juried artists competing this week, Andy also instructed many artists across the country. His lectures are highly regarded, well informed and beautifully illustrated. Held at the Albert Carlton Library at 7pm and sponsored by Friends of the Library, Andy will engage us with stories about expedition artists, entitled "Karl Bodmer' Voyage and Legacy: How the greatest plein air journey of all time will change your life and art." A reception follows across the street in Harmony Towers at the Village Green Commons.

Friday, July 16 The Wet Room is open, and today, the Plein Air artists complete their last works by 4 pm. A jury of three curators measures each work on its merits and awards the $2000 Best in Show prize. The Artists vote on their favorite piece, which is awarded $1000. At 6pm, the awards are announced to a party of hosts, sponsors and artists. At 6:30 pm, the sculpture trail and exhibition officially open.

The Palette to Palate Affair

This elegant, hip and cool studio art opening is complimented with jazz and atmospheric music from 7-10 pm. Artistically splattered tablecloths, floral arrangements, and easels of plein air works are enlivened by the optional dress theme: Come as Your Favorite Artist! Art is available for purchase in the Wet Room. An evening tour of the sculptures is conducted at 8pm. For tickets, contact us or call 828-743-3434.

Saturday Arts on the Green, QuickDraw Competition and Finale

QuickDraw Saturday begins at 10 am with the opening of the Wet Room and the Quick Draw Competition commences with a gun report. For 3 hours, the artists compose and paint with interested bystanders offering comments. The Children's Art Table is in full force and lunch is served from 12-3pm. At 1pm, the gun goes off again, ending the competition. Artists bring their freshly painted canvases to the Village Green Commons Wet Room and congratulations are offered. Music by world famous drummers from Atlanta, jazz and blues enliven the event from noon till 4pm. At 4pm, join us to raise a glass at the cocktail hour sale and finale. Listen to Live Jazz, peruse the paintings created throughout the week for the last time, and see which Quick Draw Artist wins the $1000 award given to the Best Quick Draw in the Show. All art sold at must be retrieved by 5pm.