AMANA, Iowa - Bold, painterly strokes and luminous colors will define the brilliance of the artists at the eighth annual FRESH PAINT, the Plein Air Art Festival at Catiri's Art Oasis in Amana, Iowa. FRESH PAINT will run from September 4th - 6th, 2015 and combines the strengths of the talented artisans of the Midwest with Iowa's incredible scenery to produce the most collaborative and comprehensive event in the region.  "We are creating a modern day regionalism," explained Jenise Catiri, owner of Catiri's Art Oasis in Amana, sponsor and host of the event.

Plein Air painting is a pertinent and vital part of Eastern Iowa's history with Grant Wood and Carl Flick as well as a form of regionalism in the arts the promotes the flourishing art culture that we have in Eastern Iowa. Fresh Paint has become the largest Plein Air event in Iowa, with over 40 artists participating coming from all over the state and as far as Chicago, Minneapolis and Omaha!  It is an incredible weekend to watch painting transform before your eyes, while personally connecting with the artists.  The weekend is highlighted by the fantastic dinner party and award ceremony, with a locally favorite band the Awful Purdies playing from 5 to 8pm, it is always an evening to remember. The "fresh" painting of all the artists will be available to purchase after this year's judge, to be announced, turns in the results.  Not only can you purchase affordable, freshly inspired art, but it may be a winner!

Have an aspiring artist in your family? Children will love to participate in the 3rd Annual Kids Fresh Paint event on Saturday, September 5th from 11:00a.m.- 2:00p.m. Volunteers from the Amana Arts Guild will be on hand directing this amazing experience for your children. Easels and art supplies provided by the Community Chest, so each child can create their own Plein Air piece of artwork.   After seeing the professional artists out painting, they get a chance to experience it for themselves.

A Call to Artists! There is still opportunity to join the other Plein Air artists in this year's Fresh Paint!  All artists, working in any medium, at whatever skill level can be a part of this event.  It is a great opportunity to meet other artists, share techniques and have a good time just being amongst fellow artists.  The registration is only $30, which gives you 2 dinner tickets to the Fresh Paint party and the opportunity to submit 1 piece of artwork into the competition, as well as the opportunity to sell the other work that was paint over the weekend.  Fresh Paint Amana gives away $1,000 worth of prize money as well as many purchase awards.  It is a great time to spend with other artists, appreciate the beauty of the Amanas, enjoy wonderful food and community, along with a great potential to win awards and sell artworks.

Support the River Cities' Reader

Get 12 Reader issues mailed monthly for $48/year.

Old School Subscription for Your Support

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Old School Subscribe now.



Help Keep the Reader Alive and Free Since '93!

 

"We're the River Cities' Reader, and we've kept the Quad Cities' only independently owned newspaper alive and free since 1993.

So please help the Reader keep going with your one-time, monthly, or annual support. With your financial support the Reader can continue providing uncensored, non-scripted, and independent journalism alongside the Quad Cities' area's most comprehensive cultural coverage." - Todd McGreevy, Publisher