2022 Saxonburg Plein Air Festival
September 7th - 10th
Hosted by Art Spirit Fine Art Studio
What is painting Plein Air?
(En) Plein Air is a French expression that means “in the open air.” It is used by artists to describe the art of outdoor painting while capturing landscapes in natural light. Plein Air Painting is a growing movement and is in our opinion the best and most exciting way to learn how to paint.
Whether you are an experienced plein air painter, a novice or have never painted outdoors before; we hope you will join us and we look forward to meeting you! Rain or shine, we will be painting outdoors with fellow artists and friends in the picturesque town of Saxonburg, Pa! The public is invited to observe the art unfold before their eyes each day!
We are accepting 20 Artists to join us for the Festival! Artists will spend the week painting the historic sights of Saxonburg. All mediums are welcome. We will also offer workshops, social events, live demonstrations, prizes, and a closing party in the Gallery for the Saxonburg Plein Air Exhibit. Paintings produced by participating artists during the festival will be available for immediate purchase in our Gallery from Sept 8th – Sept 10th for the Plein Air Exhibit! The Saxonburg Art Festival & Octoberfest will occur the same weekend, making it a perfect time to display your artwork for thousands of people to see!
PURCHASE FULL ACCESS (ALL 4 DAYS) OR 1 DAY PASS BELOW
Schedule of Events
-WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th:
Location: Meet at Saxonburg Museum for a tour ~ 199 N. Rebecca Street, Saxonburg, PA 16056
Check in time: 3:30pm – 4:00pm
Tour of museum: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Workshop: 5:00pm-5:30pm: Composition of Outdoor painting (value block in).
Meet at the historic Saxonburg Museum to check-in and meet fellow painters! The Saxonburg Museum is located in Roebling Park on North Rebecca Street. We will experience a tour of the Museum from Fred Caesar, the curator of the museum. After the tour, we will meet outside in the park for a demonstration on how to create a successful composition for an outdoor painting! Explore and paint Roebling park or wonder down Main Street if you’d like. Saxonburg has beautiful sunsets so this will be a perfect time to paint!
-THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th:
Location: Lindenwood Farms ~ 2 mi. from Main Street, Saxonburg
Workshop: 12:00pm-1:00pm: PART 1: How to paint water; PART 2: How to create atmospheric perspective and distance
Paint all that nature can offer at Linda’s Pond! She has ponds, swans, fountains, barns, trees galore, and just an overall beautiful view. Drink mimosas and take your own charcuterie box to take with you when you paint!
Part 1: Is water easy to paint? Absolutely not. BUT we will break down the science behind light and how it plays a huge role in painting water. You will see things very differently after this workshop!
Part 2: We will discuss atmospheric perspective to improve your blending /rendering skills and give your artworks the illusion of depth!
-FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th:
Location: Octoberfest - Fireman’s ground under big tent
Workshop: 3:00pm-4:00pm: How to paint people within a scene
Sprankle's Octoberfest 2022 (our local grocery store) has graciously allowed us to meet on Octoberfest grounds where you can paint everything from live bands, stein holding contests, food trucks, lots of beer and pretzels, artisans, and of course people! Saxonburg was founded by German settlers so you know this will be an exciting event! Beer is on us
Our workshop will include demonstrations on how to create movement and posture of people in a scene. We will also go over basic anatomy to help you with your initial sketch. After the workshop, paint your favorite scene on Octoberfest grounds and enjoy the rest of the evening! All mediums are welcome!
Friday's Octoberfest hours are 4pm-9pm. Bring your framed artwork to Art Spirit Studio by 10:00pm on Friday so we can hang your artwork in our gallery for the start of the Art Festival on Saturday! You can also bring your artwork to the studio at 10:00 am on Saturday morning.
-SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th:
Location: Main Street, Saxonburg - Saxonburg Festival of the Arts
No workshop: Paint during the Art Festival or Oktoberfest (both start at 10:00am).
Full access painters will paint during the Art Festival on Main Street at their own leisure. This will be a great opportunity for thousands of people to see your work! Stop by the studio beforehand if you need to drop off any remaining artwork for the last day of the exhibit. Studio will be open at 10:00am.
We suggest painting early on Saturday so you can display your painting on the ‘Wet Wall’ during the Plein Air Exhibit (starts at 4:00pm) for people to see/purchase during the art festival! The Wet Wall is designated for the paintings done on Saturday.
2022 Saxonburg Plein Air Exhibit Closing Party: 4pm-6pm - Let’s celebrate a week of hard work! We will host a party in your honor to celebrate plein air painting and friendship. We will provide appetizers and drinks. We will announce best painting and the winner of prize money at 5:00pm. Feel free to enjoy Octoberfest until 9pm. Pick-up artwork after Plein Air Exhibit to officially wrap up the 2022 Saxonburg plein air festival.
Saturday’s Octoberfest hours are 10am-9pm
Saturday’s Art Festival hours are 10am-6pm
FAQ
Will you supply paint and materials for Plein Air Painting?
We do offer Acrylic painting sets that include Grumbacher paint, a Sta-wet palette, 3 brushes, 2 panel canvases, and many helpful painting tips! We can direct you in the right places to purchase the best materials for Plein Air Painting online. See “Recommended materials for Plein Air Painting” below for materials that we highly recommend. You will want a sturdy outdoor travel easel and tripod for this festival… The rest is easy to find!
What is all included when you purchase a ‘full access ticket?’
Full access ticket holders will get to attend all workshops and exhibit three paintings in our studio. Painters will get to experience all social events, which includes a tour of the Saxonburg museum, a visit to Linda’s pond, Octoberfest, and the Saxonburg Art Festival. Admission to Octoberfest and the Art Festival is free. Don’t forget about the closing celebration at our studio on Saturday evening where we will present Best in Show and the winner of prize money!
What is all included when you purchase one of the ‘Daily Tickets’?
Daily tickets include one workshop and one paint out. Check the ‘Schedule of Events’ to find which day and workshop most appeals to you! Each day has a different theme and different class times. You will get to display one painting in the gallery for the Art Festival on Saturday. If you enter your artwork, you have a chance to win Best in Show and prize money!
How many paintings can I display in the 2022 Saxonburg Plein Air Exhibit?
Full access ticket holders can submit up to 3 paintings in our gallery area during the festival. To ensure that we have enough space to display everyone’s work, please use canvases/panels no larger than 16x20.”
One day ticket holders (non-full access ticket holders) are also welcome to display 1 painting (up to 16x20”) in the 2022 Plein Air Exhibit.
We ask that you drop off your framed paintings from the week (labeled with your name, title, and price) at the studio by 10:00pm on Friday Sept 9th, so we can hang your artwork in the gallery area for Saturday’s Art Festival! Full Access painters can bring Saturdays painting to the studio before 4pm to display on the ‘Wet Wall.’
All paintings are to be picked up at Art Spirit Studio Saturday evening by 9:30pm.
Where are the best places to paint in and around Saxonburg?
Everywhere you look! There is so much small-town charm and historical characteristics to every building on Main Street. Thank you German Settlers! Our all-time favorite thing about Saxonburg is the way the light hits the Church’s clock tower during golden hour! Saxonburg is also surrounded by open farmland, trails, and beautiful skies!
How do I become a Sponsor?
Donations are encouraged and will go towards the prize money for best painting! We have three options if you choose to become a sponsor for this event:
Option 1 ($75): Logo on website & exhibit poster
Option 2 ($150): Logo on website & exhibit posters, One Facebook post & One Instagram post & story
Option 3 ($250): Logo on website & Exhibit posters; One Facebook post & One Instagram post, One Instagram Story, a write up about your business on our newsletter and blog, free tote bag full of goodies!!
Email us at artspiritfineart@gmail.com for more info!