SULLIVAN COUNTY -- For three years, Zane Grey Plein Air (ZGPA) has provided programming for artists in the Upper Delaware Region. Their mission is to provide a place and opportunities for local artists, both professional and amateur, to “become fully engaged as a community and beyond through our professional networks and to explore the traditions and scenic beauty of the Sullivan County Catskills Region; as regional subject matter.”

However, this year due to COVID-19, things had to change, according to Founder and Director Karen Meneghin. Usually, the organizations would have about three events throughout the year; this year, it went up to 11 events.

Due to the support of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, they were able to hold small-scale socially distanced outdoor events and workshops.

One event that was done this year was Blue Moon 2020 Virtual Paint Out. The artists gathered on Zoom to talk about the process and then collected their equipment and went out to paint the blue moon night scene. This brought together the states of Maine, Vermont, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Indiana.

And for the first time this year, ZGPA will be holding a competition that will offer cash prizes. The Paint Sullivan started accepting submissions on September 15, and paintings will be accepted until November 30.

“I just thought it would be great to encourage people to explore more local subject matter, with an emphasis on scenic, beauty, and history,” said Meneghin.

She has already received submissions and started posting them online. All work submitted will be available for purchase.

On painting outdoors, Meneghin said, “You get a wonderful feeling that the world is alright. You're communing with nature, and you're in a group of students. They truly love it. It can't get [any] better [than this].”

What is Plein Air? It's about getting outside of your studio and experience painting or drawing in the landscape. This art form goes back centuries and was perfected by the French Impressionist painters. Those artists had the desire to capture light and the ever-changing landscape, “en plein air,” which is the French expression for “in the open air.”

What do you need to do? You need to paint in 2-D media, paint at a location in Sullivan County, and or completed in the studio from original personal references.

Work accepted can be of historic landmarks, private properties, or natural scenic location.

Then, visit www.zanegreypleinair.com/2020-paint-sullivan-county to submit up to three pieces of art. While the locations have to be Sullivan County, you don't need to live in Sullivan County.

The competition will be juried by famed artist Jay Brooks and Benjamin Lussier and will offer $1,000 in cash and prizes, provided by Dick Blick Art Materials. Additional sponsors are Yasgur Road Productions, Butchie's Organic Farm, Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, and the Zane Grey Museum.

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Photo by Michelle Lee

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Photo by Michelle Lee

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