WAYNESBORO, Pa. – Local artists will venture outside the four walls of a studio as they participate in Waynesboro’s first plein (open) air event in Waynesboro from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 25.
“They can set up anywhere with their own supplies, easel and frame,” according to Seth Holmes, a local watercolor artist and owner of Holmes Watercolors of Waynesboro, organizer in collaboration with the Arts Alliance of Greater Waynesboro and Mainstreet Waynesboro Inc.
“The idea is to get people outside and capture the environment in a new, fun and challenging way,” he added. “The light is always shifting and the scene is constantly changing with new people walking in and out of view. It adds a level of interest that’s different from studio painting.”
If it rains, participants may move inside local businesses, noted Holmes. “They can focus on one little frame or capture the whole interior or look outside the window and capture something there.”
Registration will be held at Main Street Park, “where people will get their paper stamped to record that they made the painting that day,” and prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the event in three categories: ages 5 to 12, 13 to 18, and 19 and older.” We have nearly 30 signed up, and you may register up until the event starts that morning,” he added.
“The first 40 registrants will receive a free tote bag featuring a design by Holmes and all artists will get a swag bag with water, snacks and information about the arts alliance. If it rains, registration and the awarding of prizes will be held at 66 W. Main St.
“If the artists wish, they can sell their art that day, so I encourage people to come out and see it,” Holmes said.
“Artists may be using charcoal, pastels, pencils, oil, acrylic, watercolors or ink to create their artwork,” noted Holmes. “In a video I made I joked that you can use dirt or coffee, and I’ve actually done a painting with coffee.”
Holmes created his first plein air art on a trip to Japan in 2018. “We were in a laundromat, and later taking a rest at a coffee shop, and I did some quick sketches. I love plein air. It is a collection of moments captured through the lens of the artist … little snapshots, taking this piece and this piece and this piece. Sometimes when you’re working in a studio, you can get lost in details, focusing too much time on them.”
Favorite spots for Holmes include Renfrew Park and Cunningham Falls, “or any festival or event. I went to Greencastle’s Old Home Week and did one, and had people ask, ‘Are you coming back tomorrow?’ and as the week went on I did 13, with some bought on the spot.” Sketches of Market Days in Waynesboro and events in downtown Mercersburg, Chambersburg and Shippensburg also are a part of Holmes’ portfolio “and I’d like to explore the rest of Franklin County.”
“It excites me that people are willing to do something new and challenging that they might find slightly uncomfortable. If I had my dream job, it would be getting paid to go out and do live events. I would do that all day, every day.”
For more information, visit Facebook or Mainstreet Waynesboro Inc.
