Free Plein Air Art Program Offered

Release Date: 

Contact(s): Christopher Leeser


Allegheny National Forest’s Summer Artist-in-Residence Program

Warren, PA, June 4, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is offering a free public program in the Allegheny National Forest titled “Introduction to Plein Air Art” led by summer Artist-in-Residence, Fate Hays. The program will be held on Saturday, June 15 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Kinzua Beach, located on Route 59 across from the marina.

Plein Air, a French term meaning "in the open air," encourages artists to step outside and capture the beauty of the natural world. Artists of all ages and skill levels are welcome to join this program which will explore color mixing using crayons. Participants will create unique color journals while observing and recording the hues of their environment.

The first 12 participants will receive a set of custom Allegheny National Forest-inspired crayons, created by Fate Hays. If available, please bring a sketch pad or paper, a lawn chair, and crayons.

As a plein air artist, Fate Hays specializes in capturing the beauty of natural spaces using oil pastels. Her intention is to carefully record the colors and textures of the space to best remember the experience of being there.

The Artist-in-Residence program is an opportunity for artists of all mediums to have the time and space to pursue their craft outside of their normal environment. The two-week program allows the artist easy access to the forest, field trips with Forest Service staff, and networking opportunities with local arts organizations.

For questions, please contact Artist-in-Residence Coordinator, Kate Fenstermacher, at katherine.fenstermacher@usda.gov or 814-363-6049.

 

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