Estes Valley Plein Air 2022

edited by Barb Boyer Buck, HIKE ROCKY magazine's managing editor
in partnership with the Art Center of Estes Park

Every August, well-known artists from all over the country converge on Estes Park for the Estes Valley Plein Air competition, exhibition, and sale. These juried and invited artists have a limited amount of time to paint "en plein air," a French term meaning "in open air."

​They painted on location in Rocky Mountain National Park and within 50 miles of the Estes Valley. Special events in conjunction with EVPA include a poster/postcard and wine label contest, a nocturne paint out opportunity, a miniature contest, a group paint out, an educational program, and a Quick Paint at Riverside Plaza in which artists have a limited amount of time to complete paintings that are then auctioned to the public.

Cliff Austin uses oil pastel to create his painting for the Quick Draw competition on August 20. Photo by Barb Boyer Buck

Artists were juried into the show based on applications received January 2-April 3, 2022, 11:59 p.m. PST through the website, onlinejuriedshows; 37 artists were selected to participate.

They all had between August 19-24 to paint as many pieces as they could and turn in up to six pieces – three for general entry, one nocturne, one miniature, and one piece to held be in reserve.

None of the pieces could exceed 18'X24” before framing.

Bruce Bingham paints Longs Peak and the equine residents of MacGregor Ranch in a group paint-out on August 23. Photo by Barb Boyer Buck

Renown plein air artist Margaret Jensen of Estes Park served as the judge for the competition and awards in several categories were presented in the exhibition's opening, held at the host organization's gallery, the Art Center of Estes Park, on August 26. The show will remain up at the Art Center's gallery through September 25, 2022.

The Quick Draw results were auctioned off to the public on August 20. Photo by Barb Boyer Buck

More than $11,000 in cash prizes were given to the winners (listed below) in this event, which was sponsored by the Art Center of Estes Park, Plein Air Magazine, and Southwest Art Magaine.

Andrea Gabel of Fort Collins won BEST IN SHOW with her painting, "Patio Lunch." Courtesy photo

General Entry Competition​
Best of Show: Andrea Gabel, for “Patio Lunch”
Award of Excellence (2nd Place): Richard Sneary, for “Estes Park Overlook”
3rd place Award of Excellence: Lynn Mehta, for “Under the Sky”
Honorable mention: Connie Schmidt, for “Waiting for Moose”

Artists' Choice Award:
Richie Vios, for “Batman and Sundance”
 
Miniatures:
Award of Excellence: Richard Sneary, for “The Barrel”
Honorable Mention: Lee McCloud, for “In the Rain”
 
Nocturnes:
Award of Excellence: Lorie Merfeld-Batson, for “Back at Camp”
Honorable Mention: Ann Salviazu, for “View from Mary's Lake”

Gold Award
(Art Center of Estes Park Board of Directors):
Cliff Austin, for “Family at Lumpy Ridge”

Silver Award (Mayor's Award):
Connie Schmidt, for “Waiting for Moose”
 
Poster & Wine Label Contest Award: 
Richard Sneary, for “Copeland Falls”
 
Quick Paint, first place:
“Park Theater,” by Richard Sneary
 
Quick Paint, second place:
​“Stops along the Way,” by James Sampsel
 
Quick Paint, third place:
“​Anticipating Fall,” by Cecy Turner

​Visit the Art Center of Estes Park to see this amazing show and pick up a piece of the Rocky Mountains to take home with you! The gallery is open every day from 11 am to 5 pm for this exhibition.