Kari Ganoung Ruiz, “The Porch,” 2017, oil, (Grand Prize Winner)

Now in its sixth year, the Finger Lakes Plein Air Competition and Festival recently welcomed 40 professional artists from across the country and Canada to vie with one another for a series of fantastic awards. Join us in congratulating these deserving winners!

‘Tis the season for a multitude of plein air events around the country, meaning PleinAir Today has been receiving lots of news about award winners, including the Finger Lakes Plein Air Competition and Festival that took place between June 6 and 11 in Canandaigua, New York (about a half-hour southeast of Rochester, New York).

by Chuck Marshall, (Second Place, Overall)
by Olena Babak, (Third Place, Overall)

Forty world-class artists were invited to compete for a range of tantalizing awards. Among many others, artists included Beth Bathe, Olena Babak, Andre Lucero, Chuck Marshall, Geoffrey Wittig, and Robert Simone. Events at this year’s festival included Canandaigua Downtown Merchants’ “Adopt An Artist” in which merchants hosted exhibitions for participating artists. Wednesday, June 7, witnessed an outstanding paint-out along the Canandaigua Wine Trail in Naples, New York. Events rounded out with an evening talk by judge Sara Linda Poly, a quick draw, and finally a community paint-out.

Olena Babak, “Midday,” oil, (winner, Canandaigua Wine Trail Paint Out)
by Beth Bathe, (winner, Quick Draw)
Amy Stummer, winner of the Community Paint Out, stands with her painting “The Porch.”

So who took home awards? Kari Ganoung Ruiz was the big Grand Prize Winner for her stunning nocturne painting “The Porch.” Donned with American flags, Ruiz beautifully captures the glowing lights of a Victorian-style home. Chuck Marshall was 2017’s Second Place winner and Olena Babak was honored with Third Place.

Paul Taylor with “Shady Street,” which won Second Place in the Community Paint Out
Jennifer Gibson with “Granger Homestead,” which won Third Place in the Community Paint Out

Olena Babak was also the winner of the Canandaigua Wine Trail Paint Out while Beth Bathe was the winner of the Quick Draw. From the community paint-out, Amy Stummer’s “The Porch” earned the artist First Place. Paul Taylor took home Second for “Shady Street,” and Jennifer Gibson was this year’s Third Place winner for “Granger Homestead.”

To learn more, visit Finger Lakes Plein Air.


1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here