Art Barn School of Art is exhibiting works by the Duneland Plein Air Painters through October 29. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m CST. The public is invited to attend a free reception with light bites and refreshments on Saturday, October 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.. For more information visit artbarnschool.org or call 219-462-9009.
Each week from early April to the end of October members of the Duneland Plein Air Painters meet in a different location to paint in the open air. Carrying on a long tradition of painting outdoors in natural light, these artists record their impression of local scenes while dealing with elements of nature.
Painting together for over 14 years the group has painted beach scenes from Beverly Shores to West Beach, gardens in Michigan City, La Porte , South Bend and Niles, Michigan and landscapes and city scenes from Red Mill County Park in La Porte County to downtown Valparaiso and Three Oaks Michigan. The beauty and diversity of this unique region is captured by the artists using a variety of techniques and media. They paint dunes, beaches, farmland, town squares, private gardens, and many other iconic sites in the region.
Some of the sites captured this season include Michigan City Harbor, Kankakee River, Chellburg Farm at the Indiana Dunes National Park, Bonnyville Mill in Bristol, IN, Beverly Shores, IN, Fernwood Gardens in Niles MI, Bendix Woods County Park, LaPorte County Museum, Lakeside Lavender Farm and Pioneer Land in LaPorte County, Woolever Farm in Wheatfield, IN, Deep River County Park in Lake County, Schoolhouse Shop in Furnessville, IN, Downtown Valpo, Marc T. Nielsen Interiors, Ogden Gardens, Sunset Hill County Park in Valparaiso, IN.
“Plein Air'' is a French term for painting outside. The idea of painting outdoors is to paint from life, involving all senses in capturing impressions of a scene. Artists may finish their paintings on site or add finishing touches in a studio. Others record information in sketches and photographs and produce paintings in their studios.
Plein Air painters deal with change; changing shadows, changing light, changing weather. A sudden wind gust can pick up a canvas and carry it away. Cars or delivery trucks can suddenly block a view. A rain shower may begin. Shadows move and new details emerge. This is all part of the experience of painting from and in nature. The members of the Duneland Plein Air Painters enjoy these challenges and the camaraderie of painting together.
Exhibiting artists include Sandy Appleby, Lynn Buckmaster, Adriana Espinosa Calle, Kei J. Constantinov, Kris E. Cook, Dawn Duty, Sharon Goodall, Kuhn Hong, Sue Hughes, Laura Krentz, Carolyn Lelek, Christine J. Newton, Anita Philips, Carleen O'Connor Rivera, DeBorah Stipanovich, Margaret Sullivan, Betty Thomas, Nicole Willbur, Linda Wheat-Monahan.
ABOUT ART BARN SCHOOL OF ART
Art Barn School of Art, housed in a century-old renovated barn, is dedicated to fostering the love of art for artists of all ages and abilities in its unique 69-acre environment in Porter County, IN. Art Barn offers a full range of art education classes for children and adults and is a venue for performing arts and weddings. In Spring, gallery walls fill floor to ceiling for the annual juried art exhibition (with a 28-year history). In September its annual outdoor Art Blitz festival engages visitors in art-making, demonstrations and fun for the whole family.
Image provided by Art Barn