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Potsdam Plein Air Festival to feature artists painting throughout the community Sept. 18-20

Posted 9/15/14

By MATT LINDSEY POTSDAM -- The St. Lawrence County Council Arts Council will host the Potsdam Plein Air Festival Sept. 18-20 featuring professional and amateur artists who work in any medium. While …

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Potsdam Plein Air Festival to feature artists painting throughout the community Sept. 18-20

Posted

By MATT LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- The St. Lawrence County Council Arts Council will host the Potsdam Plein Air Festival Sept. 18-20 featuring professional and amateur artists who work in any medium.

While there are many other similar open-air art festivals in the area, this will be the first of its kind in Potsdam. “Plein Air” simply means “in the open air” and is traditionally used to describe the act of painting outdoors.

“The idea for the festival seemed like a natural fit for the area with all of Potsdam’s scenic areas and buildings,” said Suzy E. McBroom, St. Lawrence County Arts Council executive director.

Artists will receive a guide-map of scenic locations around Potsdam. Some locations are also featured in the Potsdam Public Museum’s pFestival tours.

“This is a great chance for the community to see how artists create their work,” McBroom said.

Around a dozen artists have signed up with most of them being from St. Lawrence County.

Events kick off Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. where artists will be at various locations around the village creating new paintings. At 5 p.m. an opening reception for “Finding a Sense of Place” exhibit will be held at the Gibson Galley on SUNY Potsdam’s campus. Live music will be provided by the Community Performance Series and light refreshments will be served.

Artists will again create new artwork on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. around town. A painting class with Wilson Bickford will be offered from noon to 3 p.m. at the St. Lawrence County Arts Council. The cost is $40. Register at 265-6860 or arts@slcartscouncil.org.

Friday night’s events will conclude with a meet the artists’ reception at Maxfields, 15 Market St., from 5 to 7 p.m. A live auction will be held and Alex Vangellow will play live music.

An art show and sale will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at 41 Elm St. on the front lawn, weather depending. While this is not a juried show so anyone can participate, cash prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, Juror’s Choice, and People’s Choice. The live art auction to benefit the festival, a show and sale for community members to purchase in person from the artists, and cash prizes awarded by a juror. Artists’ can register at www.slcarts.submittable.com.

“It will be a lot fun and a great way to learn about what artists think about and do while they work,” she said.

For a full schedule of festival events or to register, contact 265-6860 or visit www.slcartscouncil.org.