Outdoor Painters Society’s annual Plein Air Southwest, a juried plein air competition, exhibition, and sale moves to the Texas Coast. Previously a Salon show held for the last several years in Dallas is being rejuvenated into a full-fledged 6-day ‘boots-on-the-ground’outdoor painting competition. Nationally known Outdoor Painters Society is teaming up with our friends at Rockport Center for the Arts to bring you some incredible art for your home.
President of OPS Tina Bohlman shared that the board of directors struggled with the decision to change. In the end they decided that an outdoor group needed a true outdoor competition. “It is risky to meddle with a successful and well organized tradition”, Bohlmansays. “Not only did we redesign the competition, we relocated the show to the Texas Coast and changed the time schedule from early April to late May.” Tina Bohlman adds, “With a solid plan, capable members volunteering, and our enthusiastic host, Rockport Center for the Arts, we can pull this off with style”.
The 53 juried competition artists are all members of the Outdoor Painters Society. We are excited to have 29 artists from Texas,another 23 from 14 other states plus one from Nova Scotia. These painters are experienced working in the sun, heat, and wind while fighting the bugs and other typical Texas weather surprises. Juror Joshua Been will also conduct a three and a half day workshop in the Rockport area May 27-29th.
Make plans now to join us looking for artists painting the coastline scenery along Rockport, Fulton, Aransas Pass, and Port Aransas from May 21-25th. The sale and exhibition will be at the downtown Rockport Center for the Arts and Wind Way Gallery on Saturday May 26th and continue until June 9, 2018.
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To learn more:
Outdoor Painters Society,
President- Tina Bohlman
tina@tinabohlman.com, cell: 972-741-6154 https://www.outdoorpainterssociety.com
The Outdoor Painters Society was formed in 1996 with nine charter members. The goal was to create opportunities and incentive for artists of like mind to come together and painten plein air (outside in the openair). Now a nationally known plein air artist’s organization with an annual average membership of around 300 members continues to grow. About 75% of OPS members reside in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. The membership is ‘without borders’ and includes artists all across the country from the eastern seaboard to the west coast. There are 8-9scheduled paint-outs each year with the outings ranging from one to five days. Locations vary all around Texas including Big Bend National Park, Palo Duro Canyon, and small towns such as Glen Rose and Mineola. At least one event each year can be in another state with favorite locations being New Mexico, Colorado,Arkansas, Arizona, and the Grand Canyon. The premier juried “members only” annual event known as Plein Air Southwest attracts national attention, elite artists, savvy collectors, decorators and locals who just enjoy art. For more information visit our website- www.outdoorpainterssociety.comand our facebook page.
Rockport Center for the Arts
Luis Purón;, Executive Director
Elena Rodriguez, Curator of Exhibitions
(T): 361-729-5519 http://www.rockportartcenter.com/main/
RockportCenter for the Arts, currently entering its 49th year of operation, was located in the blue Victorian house at Rockport Harbor. On August 25 and 26, 2017 the facility suffered catastrophic damage due to Hurricane Harvey’s direct impact on Rockport. A world-class, and growing sculpture garden featuring works by Charles Umlauf, Kent Ullberg, James Surlsand the late Jesús Moroles have accentuated the Art Center since 2000, making it one of the most prestigious showcases for fine art in South Texas. Some of the sculptures sustained damages, however restoration is presently underway to protect Rockport’s art legacy for future generations. Inspiring exhibitions, an annual Artist-in-Residence program and traveling exhibits are part of the repertoire the community and its visitors have come to expect. The many activities of the Art Center draw fifty-thousand visitors per year. The Sculpture Garden alone, was visited by ten-thousand patrons every year. This spring, the Rockport Artists’ Studio Tour will allows visitors to see some of the most unique art studios in Rockport’s storied art colony, learn about medium, technique and acquire unique pieces of art for their collections. In the summer, the 49th Annual Rockport Art Festival is the place to be July 4th weekend. More than 10,000 people attend each year to enjoy music, food and artwork from 120 of the best artists from around the country. Early in November, the Rockport Film Festival will entertain audiences with the best of independent cinema. Workshops, classes and mentoring from established local artists are part of a well-crafted art education program. For decades, children have enjoyed free, high caliber art instruction year-round through ArtSpace Summer Art Camp and Free Family Saturdays. Since the hurricane, the Art Center had no home for 99 days; yet none of the programs, exhibits or events were canceled. Three months after Hurricane Harvey, the staff and board of directors re-established operations in a building located in downtown Rockport at 106 S. Austin St. All programs are fully operational and a full calendar of exhibits for 2018 is in place. Open to the public from Monday through Saturday, 10 Am to 4 PM; admission is always free. For more information call 361-729-5519 or visit www.RockportArtCenter.com.
