3rd Annual PAPO Exhibition
| November 14, 2008 | to | November 29, 2008 |
Painting “en plein air” means painting outside from whatever you see around you. Aside from obvious challenges like weather and hauling easel and supplies to the site, other things make plein air a test of an artist’s skill. For example, the direction of the light shifts dramatically as the sun moves across the sky in just a few hours. Color also shifts subtly throughout the day.
On Saturday, August 23, about 75 artists from Whatcom County and beyond gathered in Bellingham for the 3rd Annual Plein Air Paint Out (PAPO). The purpose of the event, besides an enjoyable day of painting, was to increase visibility for artists and call attention to the fact that “gentrification” of older areas of downtown (tearing down old buildings to replace them with upscale condos, etc.) has a side effect of eliminating affordable studio space for artists. In Fairhaven, for example, only one building still houses studio space, and many of the galleries have become gift shops. Bellingham still has a lively older downtown area, and can take steps now to protect space for those creating art in the future.
On November 14-29, the Blue Horse Gallery will host an exhibition of paintings created that day. An artists’ reception will be held on the opening day, November 14, from 7-10pm. The Gallery is located at 301 W. Holly Street. It will be a great opportunity to meet many local artists!
