The 18th annual Telluride Plein Air, held on June 28-July 4 of this year, was a huge success raising essential funds for the Sheridan Arts Foundation, the 501c(3) non-profit organization that owns and operates the historic Sheridan Opera House. Despite a rainy start to the week, all three days during the Art Exhibition and Sale were sunny and full of purchasers. Gross sales were the highest in ten years.
On Wednesday, June 30, all 21 artists participated in the Quick Draw Competition up and down Main Street and adjoining blocks. A record 14 of the 21 paintings were sold immediately after the Quick Draw. Krystal Brown of Texas took First Place and the $800 cash prize. Jody Kauflin of Telluride took second place. During the Artist Choice Cocktail and Preview Party, first-time attendee Allen Brockbank painting’s Runway to Telluride took first place. Previous first place winner Alison Leigh Menke’s Lasting Rhythm took second place, and Mat Barber Kennedy took third with At Alta Lakes. Each artist’s Artist Choice selection of their own work can be viewed in the 2021 Artist Choice gallery HERE. All three of the winners paintings have sold, but a handful of other artists’ submissions are still available.
The SHOW Bar at the Sheridan Opera House currently displays a painting produced during the festival from each artist that can be purchased. Additionally, a handful of artists have paintings produced during the festival that they took home with them but are still for sale in our After Sale, found HERE. Forty percent of After Sale paintings benefit the Sheridan Arts Foundation while the remaining 60% goes directly to the artists.
In addition to the Kid’s Table, where children are invited to express their own creativity with available paper and paint across from the Sales Table, the Sheridan Arts Foundation hosted a Kid’s Plein Air competition. Young artists were given canvases and invited to produce their own plein air painting. Winner of the 14+ age bracket was Cora, Meredith and Kirby tied for first place in the 8-13 age bracket and Audrey in the 7 and under age bracket.
The Artist Choice winner (Allen Brockbank) and top five sellers of the festival are invited to return the following year. The top sellers, in no particular order, for 2021 are Suzie Baker, Christine Lashley, Mat Barber Kennedy, Alison Leigh Menke and David Dallison. The juried application process for the 19th annual Telluride Plein Air opens up in October of this year.
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