By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — They were all out in the open, scattered around Blowing Rock and its surroundings, with but two objectives: following their passion and supporting the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum.
More than 100 participating artists produced 182 works of art for the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum’s “Plein Air Festival Show and Sale.” The show was organized and conducted by BRAHM, running from Aug. 19 through Aug. 23.
Noted plein air painter Kyle Buckland served as the judge for the show. A native of Wilmington, Del., Buckland became fascinated with French plein air painters, particularly Monet, whose use of color and light deeply influenced him at just 14 years old. A year later, his family moved to southwestern Virginia where various Appalachian landscapes fueled a lifelong passion for painting outdoors. His own Impressionist work has been widely exhibited, including featured in “Plein Air Magazine.” He is a resident artist in the William King Museum of Art’s Artlab, in Abingdon, Va., and was selected for membership in the prestigious Plein Air Painters of the Southeast, in 2021.
BRAHM recently announced the winners of the competition portion of the event, including place, name of artist, and the work’s title:
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- 1st place: Jean Cauthen, “Misty Morning on Morris”
- 2nd place: Jill McGannon, “High Country Eye Candy”
- 3rd place: Nanci Charpentier, “Beyond Heart Pond’
HONORABLE MENTION recognition went to:
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- Karl Bostwik, “Levitation”
- Maryann Grib, “Moses Cone Vista”
- Lyudmila Tomova Clark, “Golden Hour at Blair Farm”
- Jacob Daniels, “Flat Top Fog”
- Bryan Murphy, “Sunny Trail”
- Jim Rehak, “Blue Ridge Rhythms”
BRAHM’s Jennifer Garonzik, herself a plein air artists, served as the Festival Director. She reported to Blowing Rock News that the community support was extraordinary, with 107 works purchased during the Show and Sale.
“Each piece reflected an artist’s unique interpretation of the Blue Ridge vistas and the village of Blowing Rock,” said Garonzik. “The Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival highlights both the extraordinary creativity of plein air artists and the enduring beauty of the High Country. The Show and Sale is a vibrant showcase where visitors and residents alike can connect with this special genre of painting — and perhaps take a piece of Blowing Rock home with them.”
Festival Sponsors
The Festival was made possible by the generous support of sponsors: an anonymous donor, Sue Glenn Blowing Rock Properties, Hemlock Inn/Bryan & Donna Summers, The Blowing Rock Country Club, Tweetsie Railroad, The Blowing Rock Attraction, Chetola Resort, Dana & Robert Guzzo, Coleman Burgess & John Jordan, and Stephanie & Cliff Rogers. In-kind sponsors included Blick Art Materials.
About the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) curates, preserves, educates, and inspires. Rooted in the creative cultures of Appalachia, BRAHM seeks to cultivate a community that extends beyond its walls, positioning Western North Carolina as a leader in the arts.
Opened on October 1, 2011, the 25,000-square-foot museum is located off Main Street in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. BRAHM provides cultural enrichment through exhibitions, educational programs, and activities that celebrate both the arts and the heritage of Southern Appalachia. The permanent collection of more than 600 works includes pieces by Elliott Daingerfield, Maud Gatewood, Elizabeth Bradford, Mark Hewitt, and other American impressionist and post-impressionist artists.
Open year-round, BRAHM welcomes 24,000 visitors annually, free of charge, to experience 25 changing exhibitions and robust outreach programming in schools, daycare centers, and senior centers across the region.
For more information, please visit blowingrockmuseum.org.
Editor’s Note: We are trying to ascertain how much money was raised for Blowing Rock Art & History Museum through the sale of plein air art in this festival, and will update the story when we receive that information.
