LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER’S 10TH ANNUAL PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL

LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER’S 10TH ANNUAL PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL FEATURES OUTDOOR PAINTING BY AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS, MARCH 5 – 11 

Week-long festival brings free events and artist demonstrations, workshops, and fresh art for sale 

Lighthouse ArtCenter’s (LAC) 10th Annual Plein Air Festival brings together thirty-five award-winning artists to compete for over $15,000 in cash and prizes through the practice of painting “en plein air” or “in the open air.” The festival takes place March 5 – 11, 2023, and includes free events and artist demonstrations, workshops, and plenty of freshly painted artwork. The art will be displayed and available for purchase throughout the week at Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery at 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469. A list of the participating artists, a full schedule of events and demonstrations, and workshop details can be found at lighthousearts.org/pleinair.

“We look forward to sharing the Plein Air Festival with the community every year,” said Lighthouse ArtCenter’s Executive Director, Jeni Licata. “The Festival brings the best of the best Plein Air artists from all over the country to capture the beauty of our local landscapes and coastlines on canvas.”

Known as the premier Plein Air Festival in the Southeastern United States, the artists and judge were carefully selected. A full list of participating artists can be found at lighthousearts.org/pleinair. Artist Kenn Backhaus has been selected to judge the juried work. Backhaus is an award-winning artist who has devoted almost forty years to his passion for painting and the love of the outdoors. His works have won numerous awards, including Best of Show, Collector’s Choice, Master’s Award of Excellence, and Artist’s Choice Awards.

The festivities begin on Sunday, March 5, with a “Paint Out Competition” at Harbourside Place in Jupiter from 9 am – 1:30 pm. This fast-paced event is open to professional and amateur artists who compete for over $2,000 in cash and prizes. The public is welcome to watch as artists begin painting at the sound of an air horn and have two hours to complete their work.

March 6 – 9, thirty-five award-winning artists paint in picturesque places throughout Palm Beach and Martin Counties capturing the beauty before them on canvas. Free artist demonstrations are open to the public at Flagler Park in Stuart, Juno Beach Pier, Grassy Waters Preserve, and Dubois Park. A schedule can be found at lighthousearts.org/pleinair and real-time updates are available on Instagram @lighthouseartcenter. All of the paintings can be viewed and will be available for purchase at the Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery throughout the week from 9 am- 6 pm.

March 10 from 5 – 7 pm is the “Collectors’ Party & Sale” where you can purchase freshly painted, one-of-a-kind pieces by our award-winning artists. Mix and mingle with the artists and other art lovers while enjoying Lighthouse ArtCenter’s signature hors d’ oeuvres. The festival ends on March 11 at LAC Gallery with the lively “Battle of the Brushes” painting competition, an Awards Ceremony, and new 8” x 8” small works available for sale.

Five artists will offer in-person workshops for all levels starting at $130. Kenn Backhaus is offering a 3-day “Composition and Brushwork” workshop on March 14-16. The workshop is for intermediate, advanced, and professional artists. Natalia Andreeva’s “Chasing the Light in Plein Air” takes place on March 4. The one-day workshop includes on-site painting and demonstration focusing on composition, accuracy, fast color mixing, landscape perspective, and pictorial distance. “Plein Air with Krystal Brown” takes place on February 27 and 28 and focuses on conveying your vision and impression through focused, intentional learning. “Color Theory in Plein Air” with Stephen Wysocki is a one-day workshop on March 1 focusing on the basics of color theory effects and their use of them in plein air painting. Lon Brauer’s Shapes, Values, and Color workshop, March 2 and 3, teaches the value of a limited palette of colors to unify and construct more compelling compositions. Advance registration is required at lighthousearts.org.

About Lighthouse ArtCenter: 

Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & School of Art is 501c(3) not-for-profit founded in 1964 by eight artists and Christopher Norton. The ArtCenter is dedicated to the visual arts whose mission is to inspire, engage and connect our community through a vibrant school of art, unique exhibitions and diverse special events. The center has grown into a three-building campus consisting of a Gallery & 2D Studio, 3D Studio, and a Jewelry & Textile Studio. Supported by memberships, tuition, grants, and donations, Lighthouse ArtCenter serves over 20,000 visitors, 3000 students, 45 faculty members, 400 summer art campers, and a comprehensive outreach program to benefit under-served populations. For more information visit https://www.lighthousearts.org.

Facebook: @lighthousearts.org

Instagram: @lighthouseartcenter

LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER GALLERY AND 2D STUDIO 

373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469

561-746-3101

Monday-Thursday: 9 am – 5 pm

Friday: 9 am – 4 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm

Sunday: Closed

3D STUDIO 

395 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, FL 33469

561-746-3101

Monday-Thursday: 9 am – 6 pm

Friday: 9 am – 4 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm

Sunday: Closed

STUDIO 385

Jewelry and Textiles

385 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469

561-746-3101

Monday: 2-5 pm

Tuesday: 10 am-1 pm

Calendar Listing:  

March 5 – 11, 2023, Lighthouse ArtCenter (LAC) presents the 10th Annual Plein Air Festival with thirty-five award-winning artists from all over the country coming together to compete and capture local scenes through painting “en plein air” or “in the open air.” The festival includes free artist demonstrations, workshops, events, and fresh art for sale. The art will be displayed throughout the week and is available for purchase at the Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery at 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469. A list of the participating artists and a full schedule of events can be found at lighthousearts.org/pleinair.