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Columbia Center
for the Arts

215 Cascade Street

PO Box 1543

Hood River, OR 97031

541-387-8877

Plein Air for Everyone!

A Premier Art Event in the Pacific Northwest

Now in its sixth year, Pacific Northwest Plein Air 2010 in the Columbia River Gorge, is a series of art events and wine tasting opportunities featuring the art and literary works of accomplished painters and writers.

At the heart of the event is a five-day Paint-Out and Write-Out where works of art and writing are created at various outdoor locations in and around the Columbia River Gorge—the nation’s first designated National Scenic Area. Works of art will subsequently be available for viewing and sale during a month-long art show at Columbia Art Gallery.

This year there's something for everyone, and new events have been added. Artists, writers, and art lovers all get opportunities to share in the fun.

Event details follow ...

Plein Air Art Class for Children

August 21

As in previous years, events kick off with a plein air art class for children in grades 2-8. Participants learn to create visual and literary works of art while exploring the grounds of Dancing Moon Farm, an organic flower and vegetable farm in Hood River. Works created will be displayed during the opening of the plein air gallery show on Friday, September 3.

Cost is $50. Learn more and register online:  Plein Air Art Class for Children 

Paint-Out / Write-Out

August 26 - 30

Artists and writers create works of art and literature during a five day “Paint-Out / Write-Out” which takes place in five scenic locations throughout the Columbia River Gorge. The general public is welcome to come and watch.

Painting and writing takes place from sunrise to sunset as follows:

• Thursday, August 26: The Gorge White House in Hood River, OR
• Friday, August 27: Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood, OR
• Saturday, August 28: Springhouse Cellar Vineyard in Mosier, OR
• Sunday, August 29: The Dalles Mountain Ranch at Columbia Hills State Park, Klickitat County, WA
• Monday, Aug. 30: Downtown Hood River, OR

The Paint-Out is a competitive event, where 40 artists have been selected by a panel of judges. Award-winning plein air painter and instructor, Ned Mueller, from Renton Washington, will judge the entries for prizes to be awarded on opening night.

The Write-Out is an open event open to all writers regardless of experience.

Paint-Out / Write-Out Reception
at Springhouse Cellar Winery

August 28

A Paint-Out / Write-Out reception for participating artists and writers will be held at Springhouse Cellar Winery on Saturday evening, August 28, starting at 5pm.

The event, sponsored by Springhouse Cellar, is casual and open to the public.

Collector's Preview Party

September 2

The Collector's Preview Party on September 2 starts at 7pm.  It gives art lovers a chance to purchase their favorite works of art before the show opens to the general public.

The party features gourmet treats from Celilo Restaurant, and wine tasting from local wineries. The party is open to anyone who commits to purchasing at least one piece of art.

Click to learn more: Plein Air Collector's Preview Party.

Reserve Your Spot!

Ticket price is $30.  Please reserve by Thursday, August 26. Purchase online by clicking here: Plein Air Collector's Preview Party.

Thanks to the event's sponsor, Celilo Resturant and Bar, tickets are tax deductible.

Gallery Show & Opening Reception

September 3 - 26

The gallery show opens on September 3 at the Columbia Art Gallery in Hood River and extends through September 26. Artworks created during the five-day Paint-Out will be available for purchase and selections of the writers’ works will be on display.

The opening reception on September 3, 6 – 8 pm, is open to everyone and is free of charge.

Quick Draw

September 25

New this year is the plein air “Quick Draw” event which will take place on September 25, 9:00am to 2pm in two locations:

• Downtown Hood River
• The Hood River Marina

This event is open to any artist who wants to participate, and to any onlooker who wants to watch artists as they work. Artists who want to display their works in the gallery show that follows the Paint-Out are asked to pay a $10 registration fee in advance, or $15 at the door.

Organizer for the event Celeste Bergin says: “Art enthusiasts love quick-draw events because they get to watch artists paint quality works of art from start to finish, and because they can purchase them at affordable prices."

Thanks to Bella's Beads and Art Supply for making this event possible!

Details for Artists

• Click for rules and information
• Click for registration form (artists must complete this form in addition to registering online)
• Click to register online

Quick Draw Gallery Show & Wine Tasting

September 25

A wine tasting opportunity will be included as part of the Quick Draw reception, 6-8pm, Sept. 25. Artwork created during the Quick Draw event will be on display and for sale, and local wineries will be offering tastes of wines.

Public Reading of Plein Air Literary Works

September 19

Select samples of the works of writers who participated in the five day Write-Out will be on display in the art gallery throughout the course of the exhibition. In addition, the public is invited to hear writers read samples of their works at a public reading to take place on September 19, 7pm.

Plein Air Anthology

October 20

This year, as in previous years, select works of participating writers will be consolidated into a Plein Air Anthology, to be released on October 20.

Click to see the Pacific Northwest Plein Air Anthology for 2010: Between Two Mountains.