2nd Place award winner George Van Hook painting during the quick draw competition


3rd Place winner Richard Sneary painting in watercolor during the quick draw

Andrew Orr won the top prize of $1,500 and the PleinAir magazine award in the recent event headquartered in North Bennington, Vermont, while George Van Hook received the 2nd Prize and $1,000. Other award winners included Richard Sneary (3rd Prize and $750), Susan Lynn (Founders Prize and $300), Michele Byrne (Bennington Center for the Arts Purchase Award), Lynn Dunbar (Honorable Mention — Guerrilla Painter Pochade box), Diane C. May (Honorable Mention — Richeson gift certificate), Jason Tako (Honorable Mention — Jerry's Artarama), and Charlie Hunter (Honorable Mention — Richeson gift certificate). Charles Dickinson won the People's Choice award.

Michelle Byrne, winner of the purchase award from the Bennington Center of the Arts


Lucia DeLeiris painting in Manchester, VT

The quick draw award winners included Lawrence Churski and Kirk Larson. We'll have more information on the Plein Air Vermont competitions in next week's e-newsletter.

Joseph W. Palmerio painting a Vermont farm scene

During the event, Frank Constantino gave a lecture titled "Transition from Illustrator to Plein Air Artist — Exceptional Artwork From Across the U.S.," and Steve Doherty gave a presentation on "Plein Air Painters: Crazy About Nature, or Just Plain Crazy?" For more information, visit www.pleinair-vermont.com.