Inaugural Las Vegas Paint Out begins today

Submitted to the Optic

Those who like to make art out of doors or who think they might like to try it are invited to register for the first Las Vegas Paint Out, today (Wednesday) through Saturday.  The Las Vegas Plein Air Club and the Las Vegas Arts Council are coordinating this outdoor painting event to inspire local artists and to introduce others to our unique town and its environs.

The event is open to all who want to join, regardless of level of artistic ability or experience. The registration fee is $20 for adults, $10 for students, and free for children accompanied by an adult. The Arts Council will stamp everyone’s canvases at the beginning of the event so that only those with stamped canvases will be eligible for the show and prizes at the conclusion on Saturday. Typical types of mediums used are oil, acrylic, pastels, and watercolor.

“We have registrants from throughout the state already,” said Duffy Peterson, one of the organizers.  “We’ll have 20 plus and this is a very good response for the first year of the Paint Out,” she said.

For more information you can contact the Las Vegas Arts Council, 425-1085, or www.lasvegasartscouncil.org. Registration is available on line, or by contacting Peterson at 426-6688.

Paypal is accepted or make checks payable to Las Vegas Plein Air Club (LVAC), and mail to Las Vegas Plein Air Club, 309 Floresta St., Las Vegas, N.M. 87701. Registration is available until the opening of the event at 5 p.m., today at the Plaza Hotel.

The event check-in and slide show introduction will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Plaza Hotel; Thursday, Oct. 11 will be a painting day with a 6 p.m. reception for registrants at el Zócalo Gallery, 212 Plaza; Friday, Oct. 12 is a painting day and quick-draw contest in the Plaza; Saturday, Oct. 13 is a painting day with a 5 p.m. exhibit and award reception at the Arts Council, 140 Bridge St.

Sponsors for the Paint Out are Art Essentials, Tome on the Range, JC’s New York Pizza Department, el Zócalo Cooperative Art Gallery, Wardancer Designs and Gallery; New Moon Fashions, Travelers’ Cafe, Love Music, the Plaza Hotel, the Arts Council and Tito’s Gallery.

Juror for the awards  is Albuquerque plein air artist Tom Blazier.

All work will be exhibited from the evening of Saturday, Oct. 13 through Oct.  31, if the artist desires. Awards will be awarded in categories: Paintings: Best in Show; First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention; Quick Draw: First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention; Mystery Site: First, Second, Third & Honorable Mention and Youth: First, Second Third and Honorable Mention.