Thirty world-class outdoor painters recently spent an entire week in Richmond, Virginia, creating vivid plein air pictures in hopes they would catch the discerning eye of judge Peter Trippi, editor-in-chief of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. Who reveled in ribbons?
With over $15,000 in cash prizes up for grabs during the 2017 Plein Air Richmond event in Virginia, one could only expect stiff competition among some of the most accomplished plein air painters in the country. Taking place between June 18-25 and hosted by Brazier Gallery, Plein Air Richmond is quickly becoming one of the premier competitions in the United States.
Among the artists vying for prizes in 2017 were Olena Babak, Jill Banks, Beth Bathe, Lon Brauer, John Caggiano, Katie Dobson Cundiff, David Diaz, Charles Dickinson, Tomas Ehrenberger, Raymond Ewing, Bill Farnsworth, David Finnell, Trey Finney, Paul George, Ed Hatch, Neal Hughes, Christine Lashley, Andre Lucero, Tom Lynch, Beth Marchant, Larry Moore, K.T. Morse, Elizabeth Rhoades, Jason Sacran, Jason Saunders, Patrick Saunders, Robert Simone, Chad Smith, David Tanner, and Robine Wright.
The winner of the $5,000 top prize was well known artist Patrick Saunders. The $2,500 Second Place prize was awarded to Charles Dickinson, while Jason Sacran was the $1,500 Third Place winner. About 25 other awards were presented to artists via the event’s numerous sponsors, including PleinAir magazine. Jason Saunders was the winner of the Artists’ Choice Award, while David Finnell won the Nita Enoch Interiors Award for Best Painting with an Animal. Christine Lashley and Katie Dobson Cundiff were the winners of a 1/4-page ad in PleinAir magazine, valued at $1,200.
To learn more, visit Plein Air Richmond.
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