What better way to celebrate the quickly approaching warmer season than by relishing in the outdoors’ natural beauty with Coastal VA Plein Air’s Sixth Annual Plein Air Festival? The festival is a six-day event, starting on Tuesday, April 19th, through Sunday, April 24th, in Norfolk, Virginia. Gathering artists from all over, the Coastal VA Plein Air event works to support the not-for-profit, grassroots organization’s mission of bringing art reflective of the coastal community of Ocean View while also appreciating the style of “en plein air” art.
En plein air, French for “in the open air,” is as much a style of art as it is a way of life. With originations dating back to the 19th century, the approach of en plein air evoked strong emotions within the art community, with many embracing its honest display of life and the world around us. Others deemed the approach too controversial, favoring the exaggerative and glorified depiction of life and its subjects. The way of painting en plein air was closely associated with the Naturalism and Impressionism movements, with key figures and institutions such as English Romantic-influenced painter John Constable and the Barbizon School establishing the foundation.
Today, en plein air painting is viewed less as an antithetical answer to “high-art” and more so an appreciation of the beautiful -scapes in front of us. This year’s festival will continue to appreciate and admire the work of plein air artistry with a full course of events. Get the rundown of the six-day long festival below:
Le Apéritif (The Appetizer)
Kicking off the festivities is an intimate artist workshop with Lynn Mehta, an accomplished plein air artist with a nationwide following, on Tuesday, April 19th, from 10 AM to 4 PM at East Beach Bayfront Club. Attendees can expect to learn Mehta’s approach to plein air painting and incorporate learned techniques into their creative process. Class size is limited, so make sure to register in advance here. Full vaccination status is required to attend this workshop.
Le Plat Principal (The Main Course)
Wednesday through Saturday will see a variety of activities and events with local, regional, and national artists painting everything from seascapes and cityscapes to gardens, architecture, and landmarks on Wednesday, April 20th, and Thursday, April 21st. Follow the Coastal VA Plein Air social media to watch in real-time as the en plein air art occurs.
Wednesday will also host an invitational event at 6 PM, inviting artists and friends of Coastal VA Plein Air to an evening of fun, food, drinks, and good company. Attendees are required to be fully vaccinated. For more information on becoming a “friend” of the Coastal VA Plein Air, visit the Coastal VA Plein Air website.
On Friday, April 22nd, award-winning plein air painter Lynn Mehta will demonstrate her technique at Ocean View Beach Park from 5 PM to 6:30 PM. While this event is free and open to the public, registration is needed. Lastly, Saturday, April 23rd, will be the first Plein Air Wet Paint Show and Sale at the Norfolk Virginia Zoo. Artists will begin painting around the animal habitats at 9:30 AM with official judging and an art sale following at 12:30 PM. Artists interested in participating can register here.
Le Dessert (The Dessert)
Sunday, April 24th, will be the cherry on top of an almost week-long celebration with the 2022 Coastal VA Plein Air Show and Sale at COVA Brewing Company. The event comprises two portions, with the first half honoring advanced entry for art collectors from 12 PM to 1 PM. Collectors can expect to receive a complimentary COVA Brewing Company beverage and first dibs at purchasing paintings that catch their eye. Tickets will be sold at $30/person and can be purchased here. The second half of the event will be free and open to the public from 1 PM to 4 PM. Drinks and food will be available for purchase. Reserve your free tickets here.
Jasmine Rodriguez
Jasmine Rodriguez is a culture and music enthusiast based out of Virginia. When she's not writing for music blogs, you can find her working on her latest themed playlists, scouring for more new music, and taking pictures of her friends and life around her.
