about plein air for the park
Established in 2012, Plein Air for the Park is a collaborative effort of the artists of the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Association and the staff and volunteers of the Grand Teton Association. Together we are proud to present this exclusive annual "wet painting" show and sale. Participating artists will create brand new paintings on-location ("en plein-air" as the French say) in Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole area during the 10 days prior to opening day. The new works debut for sale at the impressive Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center in Moose starting Wednesday, July 18. A portion of all proceeds from the show will benefit ongoing educational, interpretive, and research initiatives in Grand Teton National Park.
Artist Phil Wright of California hard at work below Mt. Moran
Connecting the land and people through a shared artistic experience.
Plein Air for the Park offers visitors a unique experience - a chance to see this majestic landscape through the eyes of 40 of the nation's top artists.
Artist demonstrations, like Painting On The Square and the Quick Draw, offer enthusiasts and patrons rare opportunities to enjoy connecting with the artists, and to watch their process unfold, in a personal way.
And our Morning With the Masters program gets young artists out in the field painting their own works with encouragement and personal guidance from our nationally recognized event artists, ensuring that the traditions of artistic appreciation and preservation of this amazing place will continue into the future.
All the new work, hung and ready for opening night!
Continuing a century-old artistic tradition
First put into widespread practice by the French Impressionists, painting "en plein aire" (in the open air) has been an integral part of the American landscape painting tradition for over 100 years. Working on location, directly from life, enables the artist to translate their experience of the light, weather, and landscape in the most immediate way, yielding canvases rich with freshness, spontaneity, and emotional impact.
Artist Wes Newton of Oklahoma pauses to chat with a visitor.
become a purchase patron
Plein Air for the Park is the largest event of the year in support of Grand Teton National Park. It reaches thousands of visitors annually and helps sustain Grand Teton Association sponsored initiatives in the Park. The Purchase Patron program is an integral part of the show's success!
You become a Purchase Patron simply by committing, in advance of the show, to purchase at least one work of art from the show. You are not obliged to spend more than you can afford. The price range for works in the show runs generally from about $500 up to $2,500, with an average price of about $1,000.
BENEFITS OF PURCHASE PATRONAGE:
The benefits of Purchase Patronage are:
- Early access to the show, before the show opens to the public, which affords you a chance get first pick of the new works.
- An exclusive private reception, before the public opening reception, with the artists in attendance - a great chance to meet and visit with the artists in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Public acknowledgement of your support – a “Purchase Patron” ribbon will be hung next to your chosen purchase, along with a printed card thanking you personally, and a special name badge will be made for you to wear with pride at the opening reception.
- A raffle ticket, available exclusively to Purchase Patrons, for a painting donated by Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters that will be raffled off at the end of the Patron reception.
- A complimentary 1 year Grand Teton Association membership
- A special appreciation gift
Purchase patronage is a perfect way to take home a one-of-a-kind original artwork that will not only enrich your life in the years to come but will also help the Grand Teton Association continue its vital ongoing educational and interpretive mission in Grand Teton National Park.
To become part of this exciting program, please contact Marjorie Pettus at: marjorie_pettus@partner.nps.gov or call (307)739-3404
Participating artists
Kathy Anderson
Beverly Boren*
Michele Byrne
Tammy Callens*
Kim Casebeer*
Bethanne Kinsella Cople
Stephen C. Datz
Lamya Deeb
Don Dernovich
Kaye Franklin
Jake Gaedtke
Lanny Grant
Robert Hagberg
David Harms
Jennifer L. Hoffman
Gary Huber
John Hughes
Peggy Immel
Jeanne Mackenzie
Kathryn Mapes Turner
Chuck Marshall
Michael McClure
Susan McCullough*
Wes Newton
Niles Nordquist
Erin C. O'Connor
John Potter
Mike Rangner*
Ruth Rawhouser
Bill Sawczuk
Greg Scheibel
Russ Tanner
Bart Walker*
Kathy Wipfler
Jim Wodark*
Phil Wright
Allie Zeyer*
* 2018 Invited guest artist
2018 Awards Judge: Josh Elliott, Artist, Helena, MT
event schedule
July 9 - 17, 2018
Artists arrive and paint in and around Grand Teton National Park and the greater Jackson Hole area.
Monday, July 16
PAINTING DEMONSTRATION at Jackson Lake Lodge, 9 AM - 11 AM, Grand Teton NP
Event artists will be enjoying the spectacular views from this amazing hotel, and demonstrating their oil painting technique while talking about their methods and answering questions from the public as they work.
Tuesday, July 17
PAINTING ON THE SQUARE, 11 AM - 1 PM, Town Square, Downtown Jackson
Event artists gather in the Jackson Town Square to paint and interact with the public.
Wednesday, July 18
GALA OPENING RECEPTION, 7-9 PM, Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center
Come enjoy all the brand new paintings, live music, and great food and drink at this festive gala. All event artists will be in attendance.
Thursday, July 19
MORNING WITH THE MASTERS Youth Paint Out, 9 AM - 1 PM, Schwabacher's Landing
This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring young painters to get out on location with a group of event artists and paint. Students will receive personalized instruction, advice, and critiques from our nationally recognized artists as they work their way through their own plein air paintings. All art supplies and lunch will be provided for participants. Transportation to the site is also available free of charge, and each student will receive a T-shirt as well. For inquiries or to register, please call the Art Association of Jackson Hole, (307)-733-6379. Registration opens March 19, 2018. Morning With the Masters is sponsored by Wild Tribute 4 The Parks.
Saturday, July 21
QUICK DRAW & SALE, 9 AM - 12 Noon, Menor's Ferry, GTNP
Come watch event artists create brand new paintings from blank canvases in 2 hours. The new works will then be displayed on site for a fixed-price sale from 11 - Noon.
Sunday, July 22
SHOW CLOSES at 4 PM
event sponsors
Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters and the Grand Teton Association thank the following sponsors for their generous support of Plein Air for the Park!