May 22, 2019—This Friday, over 350 elementary and secondary students will participate in the Quinte Arts Council Plein Air Painting Festival.

EVENT DETAILS

DATE: Friday, May 24, 2019
TIME: Between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Various, see below

Plein air painting is experiencing painting in the landscape. The practice was made into an art form by the French Impressionists and their desire to paint light and its changing qualities. Artists paint “en plein air,” which is the French expression for “in the open air.”

Each student has been provided with a stamped canvas, plus colour palettes, paint and brushes. According to the Rules and Regulations of Plein Air Painting, paintings must be completed outside and must be direct paintings of the scene surrounding the artist.

Mentors and community partners are a big part of this event because they provide experiential learning to students. These Visual Arts experiences play a valuable role in helping students to achieve their potential as learners and to participate fully in their community. The Arts provide a natural way for students to explore and express themselves, and through which they can discover and interpret the world around them.

Experiential learning allows students to expand their understanding of the industries and career options they may want to pursue in the future. Learning beyond the classroom allows students to see how their in-class learning can be applied in to the world of work.

In collaboration with the Quinte Arts Council, the J.M. Parrott Gallery and the City of Belleville, the 5th Arts en Plein Air Painting Festival will take place in Belleville and the Quinte Region from Thursday, May 23 to Saturday, May 25, 2019.

All canvases will be entered into a juried competition and will be on display at the Quinte Arts Council from May 27 – June 6, 2019.

For more information, contact:
Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, 613-966-1170 or 1 800 267-4350, extension 62354, [email protected]