STE. GENEVIEVE – Youth interested in the arts will have the opportunity to showcase their work in a youth plein air event.
Young artists in Ste. Genevieve County and beyond, ages five through 18, will be painting or drawing in plein air from 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 and 10-noon Saturday April 30th at the Moses Austin Site, (the white house on the Jour de Fete grounds) in Ste Genevieve located at the corner of South Gabouri and Main Streets, across from the railroad trestle. In case of rain either day, the event will be held be 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 7th.
Participants may choose from various scenes in the area to depict in their art, using their choice of watercolor, colored pencils, ink, pencil or oil pastels.
All materials will be provided to the youth.
Plein air painting is art done on location, outdoors, with the artists capturing their favorite scene in a two hour period. Young artists work quickly and their work has been amazing through the years. The location provides a 360 degree choice of scenery, including houses, the creek and a variety of landscape subjects.
Judging will be across three divisions; ages 5-8, 9-14, and 15-18.
A cash prize of $50 and a medal will be awarded the artwork judged to be best of show.
First place award winners in each category will receive $30 and a medal, second place award winners will receive $20 and a medal and third place award winners in each age group will receive $10 and a medal. These prizes will allow the youth funds to purchase art supplies or pursue other interests.
Artwork will be judged by local artists and will then be put on display at the Ste Genevieve Art Center and Museum at 310 Merchant Street, Friday, May 27th.
The youth plein air awards will be presented at 6:15 p.m. Friday, May 27th at the Ste Genevieve Art Center and Museum at 310 Merchant Street in conjunction with the monthly 4th Friday Art Walk. Everyone is welcome to attend the presentation and view the art.
There will be several galleries open that evening in Ste Genevieve providing a great variety of art on display.
An application is included with this article. It may be printed out, completed and brought with each young artist to the event. Applications will also be available at the event. Last minute entries are very welcome – just show up at the event. All youth age 5 thru 18 are encouraged to participate.
The youth plein air art contest was started in the fall of 2007 with local business Odile’s Linen and Lace and CIDD Company sponsoring the event. The Conco Community Arts Program Grant through the Community Foundation of the Ozark’s Rural Schools Partnership was awarded to Valle Schools in 2009. This funding helped to expand the event. Local individuals, organizations and businesses have funded the event through the years.
Valle Catholic Schools previously sponsored the Youth Plein Air.
Ste Genevieve Art Guild has taken over presenting the event with the cooperation of Valle Catholic and Ste Genevieve Schools.
Financial support is also provided in part by the Arts and Education Council, Ste Genevieve Art Guild, and other individuals. It is organized and staffed by Angie Dalton, Iris Vincent and volunteers.
Young artists may print out this application, fill it out and bring it with them to the event.
