“Having faced and survived the obstacles of 2020, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and our Laguna Beach Community stood together supporting one another and celebrated the Plein Air Legacy,” said Rosemary Swimm. “Together we continue to keep LPAPA Strong!”
More from the organizers:
The first Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational was presented in 1999. This year we presented our 23rd Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational at our Invitational home, the Festival of Arts in the heart of Laguna’s arts district.
LPAPA’s mission, as a nonprofit art organization, is dedicated to preserving Laguna’s rich artistic legacy established by these early plein air artists – who we honor today with our mission and dedication to the plein air painting tradition in Laguna Beach, across the nation, and around the world.
This year 33 of the top plein air artists from across the United States joined us in presenting nine days of amazing plein air events. In addition, with the new technology we’ve embraced, we were able to include virtual access along with our live events providing opportunities for art lovers near and far to join the celebration.
The week was not without its challenges — unseasonably warm weather with a tragic oil spill followed by a dramatic electrical storm — the outdoor painters were not deterred and rose to the occasion to create an amazing fine art show.
Invitational Events included the Quick Draw Competition, and Live /Online Art Talks with Artists and Experts, and it was all capped off with a unique and very entertaining Gala Art Show and Sale.
Over $39,500 in cash and prizes was awarded to the artists, with the top prize being the highly coveted $7,500 “Best in Show” being awarded to Carl Bretzke. The 2021 Best in Show judges were Stephen Brittan, President, Laguna College of Art + Design, Toni Kellenberg, President, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and Peter Keller, President, Bowers Museum
LPAPA’s Signature Artist, Jeff Sewell was recognized with LPAPA’s 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award for his extraordinary body of work and the contributions he has made to the art community, LPAPA and the next generation of plein air painters. Longtime friends and supporters of LPAPA, Toni & Steve Kellenberg were acknowledged for their support and commitment to the arts with the 2021 LPAPA Lifetime Member Award.
Participating Artists: Suzie Baker – Richard Boyer – Carl Bretzke – John Budicin – Saim Caglayan – Rick J. Delanty – Gil Dellinger – Don Demers – Jed Dorsey – Mark Fehlman – Kathleen Hudson – Jane Hunt – Debra Huse – Ryan Jensen Thomas J. Kitts – Paul Kratter – Shuang Li – Calvin Liang – Daniel Marshal – David Marty – Jim McVicker – Fernando Micheli – Terry Miura – Dan Mondloch – Michael Obermeyer – Scott W. Prior – Anthony Salvo – Aaron Schuerr – Jeff Sewell – Mark Shasha – Michael Situ – Barbara Tapp and Jove Wang
Award Winners:
Best in Show – “Valley Below” by Carl Bretzke (16×20 oil) (Shown at Top)
Award of Excellence “Let’s Take a Walk” by Mark Fehlman (12×24 oil)
Greg LaRock Legacy Award “Evening from Recreation Point” by Kathleen B. Hudson (12×24 oil),
The Jean Stern Distinctive Merit 2021 Legacy Award “Pickup Game” by Dan Mondloch (16×20 oil)
Kinsman Family Foundation Award “Heisler Park” by Michael Situ (16×20 oil)
The Irvine Museum Award “Quietude” by Jane Hunt (12×20 oil)
The Hilbert Museum Award “Lifeguard on Duty, Aliso Beach” by Shuang Li (15×11)
Award Winners continued:
Artistic Palette Award “Illumination” by Rick J. Delanty (16×20 oil)
Revelite Lyn Burke Memorial Award “One Simple Sycamore” by Gil Dellinger (18×24 acrylic)
Kinsman Family Trust Award “Above & Beyond” by Debra Huse (10×8 oil)
Architectural Award “Mission Capistrano” by Richard Boyer (18×18 oil)
Directors’ Award “Boats in Dana Point” by Calvin Liang (12×16 oil)
Artists’ Choice & Collectors’ Choice Awards – Kathleen B. Hudson
Southwest Art Quick Draw Award “Painters on the Beach” by Ryan Jensen (9×12 oil)
PleinAir Magazine Award “Wild Night” by Ryan Jensen (18×24 oil)
Fine Art Connoisseur Award “Autumn Tones” by Don Demers (9×12 oil)
Outdoor Painter Award “Sun & Shadow” by Suzie Baker (20×24 oil)
American Art Collector Award “Unnamed Alley” by Jed Dorsey (24×12 acrylic)
LPAPA’s 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award- Jeff Sewell
LPAPA’s 2021 Lifetime Member Award – Toni & Steve Kellenberg
LPAPA is grateful to all of their sponsors, partners, art patrons, and supporters who made this year’s 23rd Annual Laguna Plein Air Invitational celebration possible. In particular, the City and Lodging Establishments of Laguna Beach, The Irvine Museum, The Boseker Family, SeaWind Properties, Kinsman & Kinsman, Joe Hanks Van Cleave Foundation for the Arts, the Festival of Arts Foundation, Stifel | Hansen/Pierce Wealth Management, UCI-IMCA, The Hilbert Museum, Plein Air Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, OutdoorPainter.com, LPAPA’s members, donors and collectors.
Visit LPAPA.org to learn more.
Visit EricRhoads.com to find out all the amazing opportunities for artists through Streamline Publishing, including:
– Online art conferences such as Plein Air Live
– New video workshops for artists
– Incredible art retreats
– Educational and fun art conventions, and much more.
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