April 28, 2022
WAYNE ART CENTER WELCOMES THIRTY-ONE
ARTISTS TO 14TH ANNUAL WAYNE PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL
WAYNE, PA – May 20, 2022 − Wayne Art Center enthusiastically celebrated the return of its annual plein air festival this spring. The 14th Annual Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival kicked off Monday, May 9 and continued through Saturday, May 14, 2022. One of the premier plein air events in the country, Wayne Art Center’s 14th Annual Plein Air Festival call for artists, attracted more than 100 entries from painters across the United States, with just 31 artists juried into the festival by year’s juror Kathryn Stats. Traveling to numerous locations within 35 miles of Wayne during the second week of May, artists painted “en plein air” (in the open air/outside) to create work, which is now all on exhibit and for sale to the public. Work from the 2022 Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival will remain on display from May 15 through June 25, 2022.
This year, juror Kathryn Stats came to Wayne from southern Utah. She is a member of Plein Air Painters of America. An award winning artist, she received a Gold Medal in the 2021 Oil Painters of America’s Annual Salon Show. Her paintings have been shown in galleries nationally and internationally and her instructional videos and in-person workshops reach students around the globe. Ms. Stats selected $20,000 in cash awards and presented those awards at the 14th Annual Plein Air Collector’s Preview Party on May 14. While in Wayne, she offered a juror’s demonstration on May 15 and conducted a three-day workshop from May 16 through May 18.
Festival activities began the morning of Monday, May 9 at Willowbrook Farm in Malvern as artists registered and had their canvases “stamped,” to identify each painting produced during the festival. Artists were invited to spend the day at Willowbrook Farm to paint on location among the fields, pathways, courtyard, stone barn, horse stables, spring house, pond and gardens there in Malvern. Throughout the week, artists visited iconic and breathtaking locations in Delaware, Philadelphia, Chester and Montgomery Counties where they captured the natural beauty and character found in and around Wayne, Pennsylvania in their paintings.
About this year’s festival and exhibition, Wayne Art Center’s Executive Director Nancy Campbell shares: “We were pleased to welcome 31 nationally acclaimed plein air artists to Wayne to compete in Wayne Art Center’s 14th Annual Plein Air Festival. It is truly astonishing that 280 paintings were created in just 5½ days as artists captured the essence of our area’s beauty. On Friday, May 13th, painters ventured out to paint the “local treasures” our community is known for. Ardrossan, Chanticleer, Valley Forge Park, and The Willows Preserve are just a few select locations.
Through the generosity of our many friends, volunteers, patrons and business sponsors, the Wayne Art Center’s Plein Air Festival has evolved into one of our community’s most highly anticipated events. Funds raised ensure that Wayne Art Center continues to provide a diverse range of exhibition and arts educational opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities.”
Wayne Plein Air has become an exciting, annual tradition in Wayne. Community support of this event comes in many forms. From serving as an artist’s host to hands-on help with the exhbition itself, Wayne’s Plein Air Festival is an engagement with community in every way. Many residents opened their homes to the visiting painters who took up temporary residence in the area. Regarding hosting an artist during the festival, Plein Air Festival Chair Deb Craley claims “To be a part of the global Plein Air art movement and to support one of the top US festival venues at the Wayne Art Center has been a most gratifying expereince. Hosting an accomplished artist who has survived a vigorous selection process not only deepens one’s involvemnet in the event, but also provides insights into the lives and passion these artists have for their work.”
The festival and its artists are supported by the efforts of the art center’s Plein Air Festival committee in invaluable ways during festival week as well as during the opening event. Donations from local businesses and individual sponsors make Wayne Plein Air possible. Support from generous sponsors not only allows Wayne Art Center to host the festival but contributes to the organization’s outreach, educational and exhibition programs year round. PNC Private Bank is the presenting sponsor of the 14th Annual Wayne Art Center Plein Air Festival & Exhibition.
Local artists participated too! In this year’s Plein Air Community Paint Out, 27 artists who are 18 and older and of all skill levels created paintings in and around Wayne from May 9-12 and then delivered those paintings for inclusion in the Plein Air exhibition. Young artists will also paint en plein air at Wayne Art Center on June 4 in this year’s plein air pizza box event.
The festival week concluded with a Collectors’ Preview Party & Sale on May 14th where guests had the opportunity to meet the artists in a festive and elegant setting and purchase artwork before the exhibition opened to the general public. All work created by the 2022 Plein Air Artists as well as paintings by this year’s Community Paint Out artists are currently on view and open to the public. Visitors are welcome to the Wayne Art Center Galleries through June 25. A $5 donation for guests is suggested for visitors.
2022 Wayne Plein Air Artists
Best in Show Poetry in Bloom by Cynthia Rosen of Vermont
1st Place Morning in Manayunk by Tim Kelly of Maryland
2nd Place Tennis Court Garden by Edmond Praybe of Maryland
3rd Place Dessert First by Valerie Craig of Pennsylvania
Wayne Art Center Award Farm by Charlie Hunter of Vermont
Plein Air Magazine Half-Page Award Pasture by Henry Coe of Maryland
Plein Air Magazine Quarter-Page Award Glen Mills Station by Neal Hughes of New Jersey
Best Local Treasure Award Ardrossan Farm by Mick McAndrews of Pennsylvania
Best Nocturne Award Evening by David Lussier of New Hampshire
Best Depiction of Light Award Willowbrook Backlight by Christopher Leeper of Ohio
Best Street Scene Award L.K. Burket & Bro. by Troy Tatlock of Wisconsin
Best Water Feature Award Little Trickle by Charles Newman of New Jersey
Best Architecture Award Cold Day at Train Station by Quiang Huang of Texas
Method Lights Award Cellar Door by Marc Anderson of Wisconsin
Vasari Award Barnlight by Beth Bathe of Pennsylvania
JFM Enterprises Frames Award Sunrise Song by Barbara Berry of Pennsylvania
SourceTek Award Brandywine Landscape by Brain Keeler of New York
Winsor Newton Award Down Under by Ken Karlic of Maryland
Golden Artists Colors Award Bucket of Truth by Randall Graham of Pennsylvania
Gamblin Award Shed Willowbrook Farm by Thomas Buchs of Wisconsin
Rosemary & Co. Award Knox Headquarters by Eileen Eder of Connecticut
Jullian Easle Award Sweet Comfort by Kathie Odom of Tennessee
Raymar Award Willowbrook by Alison Menke of Puerto Rico
Blick Award 1 Lukens Steel by Fred Jackson of Pennsylvania
Blick Award 2 Lawn Chairs in a Tub by Allen Kriegshauser of Missouri
Blick Award 3 Meet Me at the Coop by Elise Phillips of Pennsylvania
Blick Award 4 Cheesesteak & Swiss by Antwan Ramar of Florida
Merion Art & Repro Award Valley Creek Bridge by J. Stacy Rogers of Delaware
Ampersand Award Giants of the Forest by Palden Hamilton of Maryland
Panel Pak Award Latchford Hall by John Slivjak of Pennsylvania
Jack Richeson & Co. Award Flood Damage by Sam Wyatt of Vermont
About Wayne Art Center:
Wayne Art Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the community through the arts. Since its founding in 1931, Wayne Art Center has established itself as a vital cultural resource, welcoming artists from all over the world who share their passion and commitment to the visual arts. With a wide range of youth and adult classes and workshops, artist demonstrations and lectures, local, national and international exhibitions, and special events, Wayne Art Center remains steadfast in its mission to afford artists and the broader community an interdisciplinary venue to explore, share and learn, while fostering a sense of community for arts education and appreciation.
Wayne Art Center is located at 413 Maplewood Avenue in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays 10-4. A contribution of $5 to view the 14th Annual Plein Air Exhibition is suggested.
Wayne Art Center 14th Annual Plein Air Festival Schedule of Events
Saturday, June 4; 1-2:30 pm
*Pizza Box Plein Air: Children ages 6-11 gather in Wayne Art Center gardens to learn about the plein air method and create their paintings, using pizza boxes as easels.
Tuesday, June 7; 6-8:30 pm
*French Provincial Dinner: Register online at wayneart.org to attend a French culinary workshop with Chef Patrick Gauthron and explore Seafood Bouillabaisse-Pear, Endive and Walnut Salad and Chocolate Fondant and Gelato.
Thursday, June 9; 5-7 pm
*Art Night Out: Join WAC for a Happy Hour among the Plein Air galleries.
Plein Air 2022 Artist Demos:
Wednesday, May 25; 5-7 pm
*Demo with Mick McAndrews
Wednesday, June 1; 5-7 pm
*Demo with Valerie Craig
Wednesday, June 8; 5-7 pm
*Demo with Elise Phillips
Wednesday, June 15; 5-7 pm
*Demo with Randall Graham
May 15- June 25
*The Plein Air Exhibition remains on view.
