Currently, New York State hosts about nine plein air festivals annually, with most of those hosted in the Upstate, or Finger Lakes, region. The Hudson Valley, a favorite painting location for many of America’s most celebrated artists, seemed like a natural addition to the slate, with an event now entering its second year.
Thirty world-class plein air painters will soon head to the famed Hudson River Valley to participated in the second annual Hudson Valley Plein Air Festival. Created by the Wallkill River School in 2016, the event will take place October 4-8, with 30 percent of proceeds benefitting the non-profit school and gallery. In addition to this plein air festival, the Wallkill River School supports the arts by offering free art classes to seniors and teens, hosting many gallery shows each year, and coordinating benefit auctions to help preserve farms and historic locations.
In 2017, organizers have raised $3,260 in award money and $1,300 in goods and services that will soon go directly to the winning artists. This year, participating artists include Karrie Baldwin, Susan Beadle, John Capowski, Sharon Crute, Daisy de Puthod, Tarryl Gabel, Kari Ruiz, Elissa Gore, Lana Grauer, Keith Gunderson, Sandra Hildreth, Janet Howard-Fatta, Shawn Joyce, Jim Laurino, Diane Leifheit, John McNally, Lynn Mehta, Nedra Newby, Chrissy Pahucki, Rick Parenti, Nancy Reed Jones, Julie Riker, Mitchell Saler, Vaune Sherin, John Slivjak, Raymond Smith, Joseph Sundwall, Alix Travis, and Coulter Young.
To learn more, visit the Wallkill River School.
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