RIDGELY, MD
On Saturday, November 4, 2023 Adkins Arboretum continued its mission to provide an exceptional experience in nature with free admission to its 2nd annual Plein Air Adkins paint out, exhibit, and sale. This event gave both artists and the public a memorable and immersive encounter with the native landscape on a perfect autumn day.
Forty-one artists painted the Arboretum’s wetlands, meadows, and woodlands while observers watched, walked and soaked in the warm fall colors. As blank canvases and panels became works of art, the public could see nature as interpreted through each artist’s eyes. Live music and food trucks complemented the festivities.
Artists painted from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., then framed their works and exhibited them on their easels at the edge of the South Meadow behind the Visitor’s Center. The public browsed and made purchases as judge Alison Barry reviewed the work and chose the award winners.
Barry, the grand prize winner of last year’s inaugural event, said the quality of the work was outstanding, and she could have given even more awards. In her judging, she looked for excellent handling of the artist’s medium and good use of composition, color and values. Barry also sought paintings that were not just journalism dutifully recording the scene but instead revealed the character of the artists and a poetic interpretation of the landscape.
The award winners were Grand Prize: Christine Rapa; Second: Amanda Milliner; Third: Pamela Chase; and Honorable Mention: Nancy Fine, Rhonda Ford, Richard Fritz, Jose Ramirez and Maureen Wheatley. Homer Proctor won Artist’s Choice.
Don’t miss the experience of seeing nature through a painter’s eyes at the 3rd Annual Plein Air Adkins on Saturday, November 2, 2024. There’s none other like it!
Plein Air Adkins is generously sponsored in part by the Caroline County Council of Art, Choptank Electric Cooperative and Unity Landscape Design|Build.
Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. For more information, visit adkinsarboretum.org.
