A new exhibition, En Plein Air, is coming to Rye Art Gallery on Saturday August 24 and will run to September 29.
En plein air or “in the open air”, is when artists paint in the outdoors and so can respond to the landscape, changing light and weather, giving the painting an immediacy and freshness.
The tradition, began in the 19th century with the use of portable easels and paintboxes, was popularised by the Impressionists. The tradition is alive today amongst Rye Art Gallery artists who respond to the landscapes around Rye: the wide open spaces, big skies and constantly changing seascapes.
Also included in the exhibition are en plein air works held in our permanent collections, including Howard and Mary Stormont, Vanessa Bell, Fred Cuming, Ivon Hitchens and Jaqueline Stanley.
For the first time, the exhibition includes an en plein air painting competition to attract artists from further afield. Work submitted will be showcased in the gallery from September 24-29 with a prize giving ceremony on September 29 at 3pm.
En Plein Air events
As part of the exhibition the gallery are pleased to be working with four en plein air artists who are holding the following painting day events:
Seascapes Painting with Karl Terry RSMA
Saturday 14 September
8.30am – 4pm
Price: £75 maximum 10 places
Join Karl Terry for an en plein air experience in his favourite place, enjoying the seascapes and sandy dunes of Camber. Meeting at Camber car park, the day will finish at 4:00 pm. On booking, you will be sent a full itinerary including a material and equipment list.
Ancient Town Painting with Tom Marsh ARSMA
Sunday 15 September
11am – 4pm
Price: £75 maximum 10 places
Join Tom Marsh for a painting and drawing day around Rye’s historical town centre. Meeting at Rye Art Gallery at 11:00 am, the day will finish at approximately 4:00 pm. On booking, you will be sent a full itinerary including a material and equipment list.
Landscape Painting with
Clare Mitchell and Georgie Watson
Thursday 19 September
11am – 4pm
Price: £75 maximum 10 places
This event will begin at Rye Harbour and run from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. It is a great opportunity to work in the great outdoors on the outstanding Rye Harbour Nature Reserve alongside two of Rye’s most established en plein air painters. On booking, the gallery will send you a full itinerary including a material and equipment list.
For full details contact Rye Art Gallery at ryeartgallery@gmail.com or call 01797 222433
Image Credits: Rye Art Gallery .