MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Several local and regional artists are bringing the art supplies outside this weekend for Zero Degree Gallery’s Fresh Coast Plein Air Festival.
“It’s a celebration of a practice that’s been around for hundreds of years,” said participating artist and recent NMU grad, Lex Klamer.
French for ‘in the open air,’ the meaningful and natural art style makes the most of what’s in front of the artist. Through Friday and Saturday, competitors will pick various spots around the loop of Presque Isle to create a painting that will be judged and can be sold later in the weekend.
Klamer says finding that spot to begin with can just be random, making the feeling of everything coming together even more special.
“A lot of the time I’ll just wander around, the process is a big part of it for me,” she said. “I always say ‘a day I don’t want to go out is usually the day I need it the most,’ and I’ll leave the process feeling so much better than when I started.”
Klamer also says for those looking to improve their skills or just enjoy an afternoon, this art style is just another use of free will.
“You can do plein air anytime of the year,” she said. “The act of going out and actually doing the painting is going to teach you more than anything.”
The Plein Air Festival will wrap up with an awards reception on Saturday and a sales and social day for the public on Sunday morning, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Presque Isle Pavilion. A full rundown of details can be found here.
