The first Plein Air Litchfield, a one-day event in October 2024 featuring 25 accomplished landscape painters, was so successful that it’s growing to become a six-day festival.
This year’s dates are Sept. 30 through Oct. 5.
The call for artists to apply for inclusion in the juried festival has just been posted and applications will be accepted from Feb. 3 through April 1. (Artists should see the submission page for details.)
The Jurors of Applications are Craig Connolly of Alofft Gallery in Litchfield center, and Michele Murelli of Art Tripping.
Plein Air Litchfield is hosted by Art Tripping, a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization, and also sponsored by the Litchfield Historical Society and the town’s Economic Development Commission. Murelli is a member of the EDC, as well as the Litchfield Arts Council.
This year, $8,500 will be given in awards, which includes a grand prize of $2,500 and an invitation to return in 2026, and a second-place award of $1,000.
The Judge of Awards will be artist Eric Forstmann, who studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston under the tutelage of Barnett Rubenstein and Henry Schwartz. A Sharon resident, he serves as president of the board of directors of Five Points Arts in Torrington and is currently represented by Eckert Fine Art in Kent.
Paintings created during Plein Air Litchfield will be available for sale at a Saturday evening Collectors Reception & Sale. Those who purchase tickets for the reception may apply the cost of the ticket toward the purchase of one painting.
Alofft Gallery will host a main exhibit of artwork created as part of Plein Air Litchfield.
Stay tuned for further details as planning for Plein Air Litchfield 2025 progresses, and watch for the website www.pleinairlitchfieled.com to go live. For further information or for questions, contact Michele Murelli by email at michele@pleinairlitchfield.com