Show Preview | Telluride Plein Air - Southwest Art Magazine

Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, CO, June 29-July 5

Niles Nordquist, Telluride Mines, oil, 14 x 18.

From June 29 through July 5, the Sheridan Arts Foundation hosts 31 nationally recognized plein-air artists in Telluride, CO, for the ninth annual Telluride Plein Air celebration. Selected by a jurying process, these painters render on canvas the area’s flower-filled meadows, majestic mountain views, and colorful downtown scenery during the first five days of the event. The event is “a plein-air painter’s dream come true,” says participating artist Kirsten Anderson. “The location itself is so strikingly beautiful and pristine, and the town has a historic quality that satisfies the painter and vacationer alike.” Other artists participating this year—some of whose works from last year are shown here—include Douglas Morgan, Randall Sexton, Niles Nordquist, Bart Walker, and Michele Byrne.

The paint-out is followed by a two-day  art sale held July 4-5 at the Sheridan  Opera House courtyard and nearby Elks Park. Each artist displays up to eight paintings at a time and can add new paintings once the original ones sell. “Some of these artists are so talented, they can produce 10 or more quality paintings in five days,” says Ronatta Palamar, director of programming at the Sheridan Arts Foundation.

Many special events are scheduled during the celebration. Stop by the Sheridan Opera House on July 2-3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Artists’ Choice Preview & Sale, where you can view and purchase each artist’s own favorite piece created during their week in Telluride. Awards are given for Best of Show as well as second- and third-place paintings. The Best of Show winner receives $1,000.

The Plein Air Quick Draw & Sale takes place in Mountain Village on July 3 at 2 p.m. This 90-minute painting competition provides the opportunity to view artists in action and purchase paintings at special prices.

A Fourth of July parade occurs in the town of Telluride from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., and there’s a family-friendly concert at the Sheridan Opera House on July 5 at 8 p.m. Check www.sheridanoperahouse.com for event updates and tickets.

All proceeds benefit the community programming of the Sheridan Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the historic Sheridan Opera House as an arts and cultural resource for the Telluride community.  —Lindsay Mitchell

contact information
970.728.6363
 www.telluridepleinair.com
www.sheridanoperahouse.com

Featured in the June 2012 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase a copy:
Southwest Art magazine June 2012 digital download
Southwest Art magazine June 2012 print edition