Callaway County residents may see art easels and paint pallets set up throughout the county at some of their favorite spots next week. Art House, a non-profit art gallery in downtown Fulton, is hosting the second annual "Callaway Plein Air" event, during which artists will paint at public events May 28-30.
Brian Mahieu, artist and curator-director of Art House, said art work produced during the event will showcase various areas of the county.
"Geographically, it's a very diverse county. We've got the prairie in the northern part of the county, we've go rolling river foothills in the middle and southern part of the county and then we've got river bottoms in the south. So, it's a beautifully diverse county," Mahieu said. "For landscape painters, it's really interesting. So, for last year and this year both, we are trying to get them up into more of the prairie areas in the north."
One of the public events this year is focused on the northern part of the county to provide ample opportunity for painters to spend time with the landscape in that area, Mahieu said. That event, "North County Paint Out," will be Saturday, May 30. It will showcase Callaway Fields, Alpacas D' Auxvasse, Crane's Country Store and Gray Ghosts Trail Inn.
The public is invited to attend a series of events during "Callaway Plein Air," at which they will be able to watch the artists in action. Those public events are spread throughout the county and include Canterbury Hill Winery, Fulton's Brick District and Callaway Fields. See the breakout box with this story for a full list of times and locations.
Those public venues are not the only locations artists can and will be painting at next week, Mahieu said. During the event, artists can paint anywhere in the county on public property or on private property with landowner permission.
Last year, Mahieu said, artists had 50 venues throughout the county to choose from. This year's event will give artists the flexibility to paint anywhere they'd like throughout the county but will also include specific events and locations at which artists can paint together.
"Part of the feedback that artists gave us was they wanted opportunities to paint together everyday," Mahieu said. "They felt like they were just driving all over. They wanted more concentrated venues and opportunities to paint together."
Mahieu said artists can paint on county roads, parks and other public places throughout the county.
"Obviously, we do want them (the artists) in the Brick District and painting the Farmer's Market. There will be lots of people around the day of the Farmer's Market so they will be able to watch the artists painting in downtown Fulton," Mahieu said. "It's kind of a balance of a good venue for the artist and also accessibility for the public to enjoy it and to learn about the process. This is about education, about the process of art."
Mahieu said the education aspect of the event is important. People, he said, appreciate the art more if they understand where it came from and what it took to create it.
Artist participation is limited to the first 50 artists who apply and is open to all artists ages 18 years and older. For artists painting in the event, 49 of those 50 slots are already filled, Mahieu said.
Callaway Plein Air will conclude with a "Wet Paint Reception" at Art House starting at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 31. There, gallery visitors will be able to view the artwork, which showcases Callaway, and enjoy live jazz music. Mahieu said he estimates the event will produce at least 200 paintings of the county.
Those wanting first dibs on purchasing artwork from the event will have an opportunity right before the reception. For the hour before the Wet Paint Reception, VIP purchase donors, who agree to spend at least $300 on a painting of their choice, will have their first pick of the paintings on the wall.
Any individual or business interested in purchasing artwork and attending the VIP purchase donors event can email Tom Riley at [email protected].