Heavy downpours and otherwise uncooperative weather couldn’t keep a record-setting group of 156 artists from making the most of the 15th annual Augusta Plein Air Festival in Augusta, Missouri, this spring. Who were triumphant? Your recap is here.
Artists traveled from all across the country to join the fun at the 15th annual Augusta Plein Air Festival in southern Missouri between April 20-30 — but were met with inclement weather. While the torrential rains nearly caused the awards ceremony and sale to be canceled, it all worked out — evidenced by the number of outstanding paintings produced, and healthy sales.
“Many special activities for the 15th year offered much for the participating artists,” organizers suggested. “Six workshops in a variety of mediums were filled-to-capacity.” A highlight of the 16 daily Purchase Award Paint Outs was a special event for previous Best of Show winners, with Allen Kriegshauser taking top honors in this special competition.
Taken from a pool of approximately 160 paintings, Nyle Gordon was the big winner with his painting titled “Nona Sunset” taking Best of Show and First Place in Oil, and “Femme Osage Noon” earning Artist’s Choice, Third Place Oil, and the Sugar Creek Purchase Award — he nearly mopped up the entire competition it seems! Spencer Meagher garnered First Place in the Watercolor and Mixed Media categories for “Lonely Street” and “Shadows of Femme Osage,” respectively.
This year’s event also saw father/daughter duo Larry and Annie DeGraff participating side by side; Annie received First Place in the Acrylic category for her painting “Elm.” First Place in the Pastel category was earned by Susan K. Rogers for “Lake Creek View.”
A complete list of award winners, including the daily $500 Purchase Prize Winners, can be found by visiting the event webpage here.
