The landmark 20th annual Telluride Plein Air, held on June 28-July 4 of this year, raised essential funds for the Sheridan Arts Foundation, the 501(c)3 non-profit organization that owns and operates the historic Sheridan Opera House.
Top sellers from 2022 who were automatically invited to return were Suzie Baker, David Dallison, Mat Barber Kennedy, Christine Lashley and Wayne McKenzie, as well as 2022 Artist Choice winner Marc Anderson. As a callback to the first Telluride Plein Air, five original artists were invited to return: Kathy Anderson, Debra Huse, Charles Pyle, Randall Sexton and Keith Wicks. Wicks, co-founder of Sonoma Plein Air, advised on the inaugural festival in addition to being a participating artist. Additionally, previous Telluride Plein Air artist Michele Byrne was invited to return. The remaining 13 artists were chosen through a juried process.
The Quick Draw Sale brought over 100 spectators as Natalie Wirsing, of Ah Haa School for the Arts, and Allison Cannella of Slate Gray Gallery, named Michele Byrne’s Sheridan Celebration as first place with Byrne taking home $1,000 cash. Richie Vios’ The Show Must Go On won second place with Vios taking home $500 cash.
The invitation-only Artist Choice Preview & Garden Party was hosted by Sheridan Arts Foundation Board President Mark Dalton and his wife Susan at their home.
Artist Choice Awards:
1st Place ($3,000 cash & a half page ad in PleinAir Magazine) granted to Marc Anderson of Wisconsin with Cornet Blues.
2nd Place ($1,500 cash & $1,000 OutdoorPainter.com certificate) went to Winding Road by Suzie Baker. 3rd The invitation-only event was hosted by Sheridan Arts Foundation Board President Mark Dalton and his wife Susan at their home.
3rd Place ($500 cash & year-long subscription to PleinAir Magazine) went to The Idarado Mine by Mat Barber Kennedy
Anderson won first place in 2022 as well making him the first artist to win consecutive First Place Artist Choice awards in the twenty-year history of the festival. Randall Sexton is the only other artist to win First Place Artist Choice more than once. The Artist Choice winner (Marc Anderson) and top five sellers of the festival are invited to return the following year. The top sellers in addition to Anderson for 2023, in no particular order, are Suzie Baker, Christine Lashley, Mat Barber Kennedy, Wayne McKenzie and Michele Byrne. The juried application process for the 21st annual Telluride Plein Air opens up in October of this year.
The Sheridan Arts Foundation would like to thank all purchasers, event sponsor PleinAir, all supporters who helped make the event a resounding success and especially artist hosts who welcome the artists into their home for the entire week of the event.
