Introducing the Inaugural
PLEIN AIR of WASHBURN (PAW) FESTIVAL
June 8 – 11, 2022
The Plein Air of Washburn (PAW) Festival is free to attend and welcomes aspiring artists, practicing artists new to plein air, experienced plein air artists and guests.
Click here to join our mailing list and keep up with news and reminders about the Plein Air of Washburn Festival.
What better place to indulge your artistic talents than outside on Chequamegon Bay? It is an ideal environment in which to paint outside in natural light. Plein air painting hardly seems like a radical artistic movement today, but in the early 1800s its origins were quite revolutionary. Until then, artists had to mix their own paint colors from scratch, a process so inconvenient it kept most captive in their studios. The new availability of pre-mixed tubes of paint quite literally opened the door to the magic of painting in natural light, finding the shades, colors and nuance only possible to capture in the brilliance of open air.
With 16 hours of ever-changing daylight, summer’s nocturnal light shows, sparkling water and every shade of wildflower and meadow grass imaginable, our bay area is a lush and lovely location to discover or hone your plein air aspirations. Featuring outdoor demonstrations and open painting sessions in various landscapes, the four day festival will culminate in a final celebration of artists, with the chance to view, discuss, and enjoy time together. Focus will be on oil, watercolor, and pastel techniques, as well as sharing time and insights with like-minded artists and friends.
Make plans to join us at the Washburn Cultural Center in Washburn, WI. No matter what the weather, this is certain to be a beautiful breath of fresh air, and the perfect beginning to Summer of 2022!
The Plein Air of Washburn Festival is a collaborative venture between the Washburn Cultural Center and the Chequamegon Bay Arts Council.
Mailing List
Click here to join our mailing list and keep up with news and reminders about the Washburn Plein Air Festival!
Important Festival Dates and Times
Wednesday, June 8, 7pm–8pm: “Plein Air: An Art History”
(Washburn Cultural Center)
Thursday, June 9, 9am–12pm: “Pastel en Plein Air” Demonstration
Led by Joanne Meierhofer (begin at Washburn Cultural Center)
Friday, June 10, 9am–12pm: “Watercolor en Plein Air” Demonstration
Led by Julia Jaakola (begin at Washburn Cultural Center)
Saturday, June 11, 9am–12pm: “Oil en Plein Air” Demonstration
Led by Matt Kania (begin at Washburn Cultural Center)
also Saturday, June 11, 6pm–9pm: Artists’ Retrospective Celebration
Closing celebration for all participants and guests at Washburn Cultural Center
Plein Air of Washburn Festival Schedule
Wednesday, June 8
7pm–8pm: “Plein Air: An Art History” at Washburn Cultural Center
A brief presentation of plein air past and present.
Thursday, June 9
9:00am–12pm: “Pastel en Plein Air” with Joanne Meierhofer (begin at Washburn Cultural Center)
Pastel plein air painting demonstration. All participants should pack comfortable transportable seating for outdoor locations and clothing for the weather (and if you choose to paint along, equipment and supplies).
9am–9:30am (at WCC): Participants will meet at the Cultural Center for introductions and to decide with the demonstrator the morning’s location and demonstration topics. (The morning’s plein air location will also be posted on the Cultural Center’s front and rear doors, for those unable to arrive at 9am.)
9:30am–10am: Drive to location and place your chairs (and do coffee run or pick up a morning snack!)
10am–12pm: Plein air demonstration. Potential topics covered will be setting up and supplies, choosing your painting’s subject, and sharing medium-specific plein air techniques.
12:30pm–4pm: Open Painting Session
Apply what you’ve learned from the morning’s demonstration and paint en plein air! While the afternoon painting session is self-guided, artists are invited to arrange to paint with other morning participants. See Daily Open Painting Sessions for location suggestions.
4pm–5pm: Day-End Wrap-Up (Washburn Cultural Center)
Plein air artists are invited to share their day’s work and experiences with fellow artists. Light refreshments will be provided.
Friday, June 10
9:00am–12pm: “Watercolor en Plein Air” with Julia Jaakola (begin at Washburn Cultural Center)
Watercolor plein air painting demonstration. All participants should pack comfortable transportable seating for outdoor locations and clothing for the weather (and if you choose to paint along, equipment and supplies).
9am–9:30am (at WCC): Participants will meet at the Cultural Center for introductions and to decide with the demonstrator the morning’s location and demonstration topics. (The morning’s plein air location will also be posted on the Cultural Center’s front and rear doors, for those unable to arrive at 9am.)
9:30am–10am: Drive to location and place your chairs (and do coffee run or pick up a morning snack!)
10am–12pm: Plein air demonstration. Potential topics covered will be setting up and supplies, choosing your painting’s subject, and sharing medium-specific plein air techniques.
12:30pm–4pm: Open Painting Session
Apply what you’ve learned from the morning’s demonstration and paint en plein air! While the afternoon painting session is self-guided, artists are invited to arrange to paint with other morning participants. See Daily Open Painting Sessions for location suggestions.
4pm–5pm: Day-End Wrap-Up (Washburn Cultural Center)
Plein air artists are invited to share their day’s work and experiences with fellow artists. Light refreshments will be provided.
Saturday, June 11
9:30am–12pm: “Oil en Plein Air” with Matt Kania (begin at the Washburn Cultural Center)
Oil plein air painting demonstration. All participants should pack comfortable transportable seating for outdoor locations and clothing for the weather (and if you choose to paint along, equipment and supplies).
9am–9:30am (at WCC): Participants will meet at the Cultural Center for introductions and to decide with the demonstrator the morning’s location and demonstration topics. (The morning’s plein air location will also be posted on the Cultural Center’s front and rear doors, for those unable to arrive at 9am.)
9:30am–10am: Drive to location and place your chairs (and do coffee run or pick up a morning snack!)
10am–12pm: Plein air demonstration. Potential topics covered will be setting up and supplies, choosing your painting’s subject, and sharing medium-specific plein air techniques.
12:30pm–4pm: Open Painting Session
Apply what you’ve learned from the morning’s demonstration and paint en plein air! While the afternoon painting session is self-guided, artists are invited to arrange to paint with other morning participants. See Daily Open Painting Sessions for location suggestions.
4pm–6pm: PAW FESTIVAL’S RETROSPECTIVE CELEBRATION / ART OF PLEIN AIR EXHIBIT RECEPTION
(Washburn Cultural Center)
All PAW Festival participants and guests will have a chance to display and view the works created during the Festival, discuss their experiences painting en plein air, and enjoy time together.
Daily Open Painting Sessions
June 9–11, 12:30pm–4pm: OPEN PAINTING SESSION
Apply what you’ve learned from each morning’s demonstration and paint en plein air! While the afternoon painting session is self-guided, artists are invited to arrange to paint with other morning participants. Click the image below for a list of suggested locations!
Examples of Plein Air Setups
Sample pastel en plein air setup.
Sample oil en plein air setup. A list provided by the artist:
All of this fits a market bag (lower left)
- Paint box that fits on a tripod
- Brush holder
- Brush cleaner
- Odorless mineral spirits
- Paper towels and trash bag
- Pigments: titanium zinc white, Naples yellow, cad yellow light, cad red medium, transparent red oxide, untramarine blue.
- Brushes: flat and filbert in size 6 or 8 and a liner brush for the tiniest details if needed
- Support: I use primed linen covered panels.
- Wet panel carrier if I’m away from my car.
- Don’t forget: (1) Water to drink and (2) hat with a visor to cut glare!!!
Get creative! I started out with a binder clip and cigar box. You won’t know what’s important right way.
I have a larger backpack for those times I’m hiking and/or want a sun umbrella and stool, and extra supplies.
For more information about the Plein Air of Washburn Festival and/or the accompanying Plein Air Exhibition in June, contact Steve or Aron at the Cultural Center at: (715) 373-5591 or washburnculturalcenter@gmail.com.
The Plein Air of Washburn Festival is a collaborative venture between the Washburn Cultural Center and the Chequamegon Bay Arts Council.
