The term “plein air,” originating from French, signifies being outdoors and pertains to the practice of creating entire finished artworks outdoors, as opposed to within a studio. Plein Air painting stands as a significant movement within the history of art and is currently on the rise.
This occasion is hosted amidst the captivating southern Black Hills of South Dakota, offering boundless avenues for creative expression. The locale boasts undulating emerald hills, lush forests, expansive prairies, serene lakes, meandering creeks, and a thriving array of wildlife. Both Hill City and Custer State Park provide an abundance of awe-inspiring subjects for painting, and a brief journey leads to two iconic landmarks: Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. The event encompasses daily plein air painting sessions, the exhibition and sale of artistic endeavors in a gallery, a meet-and-greet with the artists, a wet sale, a reception involving sponsors and artists, as well as a spirited Quick Draw Competition and Auction, featuring awards totaling $2,000.00.
The central aim of the Hill City Arts Council is to enrich the cultural landscape of the region by nurturing and promoting artistic excellence, while also furnishing opportunities for local residents, students, and visitors to engage with the diverse forms of art. We cordially invite you to join us in fulfilling our mission.
Thursday, September 21
9:00-3:00 – Artist Check in -Check in homework, stamp canvases for both Thursday and Friday. Homework displayed.
9:00-4:30 – Plein Air Painting-Best of Day
5:00 pm – Check in paintings
6:00-8:00 – Artists Meet and Greet-Directions in your gift bag and in your name tags
F00d and drinks-don’t eat dinner
Talk by Tim Peterson – Best of Day awarded
Friday, September 22
9:00-11:00 – Artist Check in-stamp canvases if needed
9:00-2:30 – Plein Air Painting
By 3:00 – Turn in your artwork at Jon Crane Gallery
3:00 – Doors will be closed to artists
3:00-5:30 – Wet Sale judging
5:30-6:30 – Sponsor and Artists Reception (invitations only) People’s Choice and Artist’s Choice voting. Your artist voting ticket is in your badge pocket-Food and Drinks
6:00-Wet Sale Awards
7:00-People’s Choice-Voting ends
7:30-People’s Choice Award
6:30-8:00 – Sponsor and Artists Reception-Open to public – All art will be for sale Friday evening
Saturday, September 23
8:00-9:00 – Surfaces stamped for Quick Draw
9:30-11:30 – Quick Draw competition painting
12 noon – Submit Quick Draw- Old World Plaza
12:00-12:30 Judging
12:45 – Best Quick Draw Award
1:00 – Live Auction at Old World Plaza-Auctioneer and public bidding
All are invited to attend and bid! Open to public.
3:00 – Artists check out
