It’s almost Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival time again! This annual event brings artists from all over to capture the beauty of the Finger Lakes in pigment, while you watch! June 5th through June 10th, 2018.

Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival 2018 is a week-long art-lover’s featuring a host of special events and more than 40 artists from across the U.S. and Canada.

“En plein air” is French for “in the open air” painting out of doors. The En Plein Air painting movement come to prominence with French Impressionists in the late 1800’s. Painters Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, were advocates of the method, to name just a few. The challenge with plein air painting is one of time and the elements as you work to complete your scene before the light changes.

The Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival celebrates this tradition with a week of painters working to capture our gardens, vineyards, woods, and fields. Watching a talented artist capture a scene on canvas is usually a rare event. During the Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival, however, it’s a common scene – and a huge part of the attraction!

The festival offers much more than just watching artists. The week is jam-packed with events and happenings all around Canandaigua.

Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival 2018 Event Schedule

June 7
10am to 5pm — Artists paint along the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail and in the town of Naples, NY
6pm to 8pm — Wet Paint Sale & Reception at Hazlitt’s Red Cat Cellars in Naples

June 8
7pm to 9pm – Evening with former Plein Air Magazine editor Steve Doherty at Ferris Hills

June 9
Quick Draw
9:30am to 11:30am — Artists paint in and around downtown Canandaigua and Kershaw Park
12pm to 2pm — Judging, show, and sale at Kershaw Park
12:30pm — Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice winners announced

Community Paint Out
Local and regional artists welcome to paint in specified areas in Downtown Canandaigua
10:30am to 12:30pm — Registration and Competition
1:30 pm to 5pm — Judging, show and sale at the First Congregational Church
2pm – Winners Announced

6pm to 8pm – Preview Party & Exhibit at Sonnenberg Gardens
A preview party with light fare for the artists, sponsors, and art collectors. Awards will be presented and there will be an early opportunity to purchase artwork.

June 10
11am to 4pm – Public Exhibit & Sale at Sonnenberg Gardens Carriage House
Exhibit and sale of artwork created during the competition. The show is free and open to the public. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival 2018

June 5th through June 10th
Canandaigua, NY
Visit www.fingerlakespleinair.com for more details.

Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival Lodging
Sutherland House is proud to once again host Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival artists! The Finger Lakes Plein Air Festival draws a lot of people to the area and rooms are going fast! If you hope to attend, reserve your room at our Canandaigua B&B now before it’s too late!