Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Art Preview: En Plein Air Lancaster takes it outside

Painting in the great outdoors has a charm uniquely its own.

Usually, it is a rare occurrence when one happens upon an artist engaged in this endeavor. So, it is with some degree of fanfare when an entire locale is invited to take part in an event that centers around “fresh air painting.”

Lancaster hosts “En Plein Air Lancaster” this Saturday on the streets of the Red Rose City. Set up outside of 13 participating art galleries and museums, the event is free to the public, who can watch artists actively dabbing at their palette.

Coordinated by Lancaster City Art Galleries and Museums, the event is hosted by Mio Studio, City Folk Gallery, Liz Hess Gallery and Red Raven Art Company. The event is rain or shine, with galleries welcoming visitors indoors if the weather is unwelcome.

The participating galleries and museums will feature artists who regularly show there, are members of the respective galleries or are there by special invitation for the event. One such gallery, City Folk, at 146 N. Prince St., owned and curated by Karen Anderer, will welcome Michael Bartmann, who specializes in oil paintings on board with an emphasis on urban Lancaster’s abandoned structures.

Painting in the great outdoors may be just what the doctor ordered for artist and viewer alike. Watching the artists paint “En Plein Air” is certainly more exciting than watching paint dry.

En Plein Air Lancaster takes place on July 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To learn more, visit their website.  

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