The Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens will host its eighth Annual Winter Park Paint Out during the last full week of April 2016. Twenty-five professionally acclaimed Plein Air artists will roam across the city capturing many of your favorite landscapes and landmarks with oils, watercolors and pastels. Plein Air, a French term meaning “in the open air”, describes art works painted outdoors with the subject directly in view rather than in a studio. Plein air artists capture the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject by incorporating natural light, color and movement into their works.
If you’re an art lover, a patron, or just curious to see what the buzz
is about, stop by the Polasek Museum to see the latest from the 25
artists in action! The museum, sculpture gardens and gallery will be
open free to the public through this exciting week-long event.
Completed paintings will be hung in the gallery’s ‘Wet Room’
immediately. As the week progressesthe gallery will fill with Plein Air artwork. Be sure to visit often to watch the artists work
and to purchase these one-of-a kind paintings the moment they are hung
on the wall.
On Monday, the first day of the Paint Out, I met Robert Ross who was set up near Writer’s Block Bookstore just East of Park Avenue on Welborne Avenue. Since Winter Park has just recently passed an ordinance making it illegal to create art or Perform on Park Avenue, I wanted to observe artists who where were immune from the $500 fine and or 60 days in jail for creating art in the forbidden zone. Each painter I saw on that day to had a Winter Park Paint Out sign which was a visual hint to police that they were sanctioned by the Museum. Several Russian women stopped to watch Rob a work, and shoot some photos. I passed four Plein Air painters hard at work as I walked back to my car. Odd that a city that just recently outlawed art should suddenly be over run by 25 artists from around the country for a week. why not allow free expression all year?
Mark Your Calendar for the free Paint Out demonstrations and workshops. Tonight April 26th, there is the “Dynamic Shadows Oil Painting Demonstration” by John Guernsey. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and join us in Central Park by the Rose Garden. On Wednesday April 2tth, there is a Sunset “Paint-In” at the Winter Park Racquet Club, (2111 Via Tuscany, Winter Park). Paint Out Artists gather on the shore of Lake Maitland at the Winter Park Racquet Club to capture a beautiful Florida sunset, then take a break from the week’s activities. Come share the vista with us and watch as these outstanding artists create a sunset memory on canvas. A cash-only bar and buffet will be available to non-members, so please make an evening of it! April 30th from 6pm to 9pm is the Paint Out Garden Party. Tickets to this event are, $100 in advance, and $125 at the door