TRAC’s 6th Annual Paint Out in Burnsville, NC, a Success!

This year, 38 artist positioned easels, chairs, and sun umbrellas; picked up pencils, brushes and pens and spent the day in the sun painting in and around Burnsville, NC. It was the 6th annual Paint Out, and the weather was beautiful. Completed work began returning around noon, and by the 5pm deadline, painting and drawings, framed and not, flanked the walls of the Burnsville Gallery.

Toe River Arts Council’s Paint Out, modeled on the en plein air experience, a French expression that means “in the open air,” particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors, grabbed the attention of artists from as far away as South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, and Wisconsin. Local artists arrived from Brevard, Winston-Salem, Hendersonville, and Statesville. Locations were as diverse as the subjects chosen to paint. Fourteen barns and nine river scenes. Several on and just off the square, plus flowers and more flowers, and one just “Lounging.” All captured on canvas, board, linen, and paper.

At 6:30pm, the Gallery was filled wall to wall with the completed work; the gift shop and gallery with artists and patrons of the arts. Stuart Roper, internationally renowned plein-air, impressionist painter now residing in Asheville, NC, judged the entrants. First Place went to Brevard’s Sarah Sneeden for her oil, “Dallas’ Barn,” second to Mike Alonzo’s oil on linen, “Hilltop Farm,” and third place to “Looking East from Cemetery,” an oil by Cheryl Keefer.

Honorable Mentions were handed out to Jack Ferrell’s watercolor, “Green Mountain Road,” Ellen White’s “River’s Edge” oil and Jeremy Sams’ acrylic, “Pensacola.” In the Student Category, watercolors made a splash with Joseph Hallman for his portrayal of General Ottway in “The Soldier,” Julianna Hallman for her, “Little Flowers,” and 11-year-old Bonnie Rutherford for her, “Mountains 1.” Applause went to all who participated in this year’s event.

We would like to thank our sponsors–the Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild with support from Susan and Paul Crutchfield, who recognize and honor the “generous spirit” of Sandra Gates, and the Grassroots Art Program for the NC Arts Council.

Next years event will be at the same time of year, check the website at (www.toeriverarts.org) for exact times and date. We are hoping for 50 entries in 2013.

Toe River Arts Council Calls for Participation in 6th Annual “Paint Out” in the Town of Burnsville, NC – May 19, 2012

Every year when spring fills the air and colors the gardens, artists from “all over” are invited to Burnsville, NC, and paint for “just one day.” The Paint Out is open to all artists working in all painting and drawing mediums. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We encourage beginners, emerging artists, as well as the pros. You do not need to be a resident of Burnsville or Yancey County. Students ages 5 to 18 can register free and compete for the Student Award.

TRAC’s Annual Paint Out is modeled on the en plein air experience, a French expression that means “in the open air,” particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. The Paint Out was conceived by Sandra Gates, a local painter and Toe River Arts Council member. It was her hope that “for one day, all day, artists are outdoors painting and drawing in and around the streets of Burnsville for all to enjoy.”

On Saturday, May 19, 2012, participating artists check in at the TRAC Burnsville Gallery between 8am and 10am. Painting materials are validated and a $25 fee is paid. Artists may use any painting or drawing medium or process. Once the materials are validated, artists venture to their chosen location; it can be anywhere they can get to and back by the deadline. Artists are welcome to visit Burnsville prior to the Paint Out to select the “scene” they want to capture, take photos, and prepare preliminary and practice sketches. In the evening, artists return to the TRAC Gallery by 5pm with their paintings and titles and prices. There they also frame and price their artwork.

Each year TRAC selects a well-known painter to jury the entries. Based on her/his decisions, awards are presented to First ($500), Second ($300), and Third Place ($200); and in the Student ($50) and Honorable Mention ($100) categories. That evening a coffee and dessert reception is held in the Gallery. Folks come to meet the artists they watched all day, view the work, and applaud not only the winners but all the participants. Paintings from the Paint Out are on display for several days following the ceremony.

Besides your art materials, remember weather can be unpredictable in the mountains. Be prepared for rain. This event will be held rain or shine! We try to have a list of possible “dry” locations for you to paint in if rain does occur. This is one day in May you won’t want to miss even if you just like to watch them create.

Download the application and information at (www.toeriverarts.org).

Support for the Paint Out is made possible by the Toe River Arts Council with the generous support of local family, Susan and Paul Crutchfield, who recognize and honor the “giving and generous spirit” of Sandra Gates. Funding to TRAC is also made possible with a Grassroots Art Grant through the North Carolina Arts Council, a state agency.

Toe River Arts Council & Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild Invite Artists to Burnsville, NC, for the 6th Annual TRAC Paint-Out – May 19, 2012

Come spend the day in the Town of Burnsville, NC, and help create, through your artistic endeavors, a plein aire experience on May 19, 2012. The event is sponsored by the Toe River Arts Council & Blue Ridge Fine Arts Guild.

Sandra Gates, a local painter and member of TRAC, was inspired to create this event based upon her vision . . . “for one day, all day, artists are outdoors, painting or drawing for all to enjoy!”

Prizes: (A total of $1000 in cash awards will be presented including $500 First Place) and students Ages 5 to 18 years old – Free registration – Compete for the $50 Student Award). All juried artwork will be on display at the Burnsville TRAC Gallery from May 19 through June 2, 2012
This event will be held rain or shine!!

Download an application and information at (http://www.toeriverarts.org/docs/2012_Paint-Out-App.pdf).