DENVER – PLAN Jeffco, the nonprofit, volunteer-led organization of open space advocates based in Jefferson County, CO, is delighted to announce the return of In Plein Sight® this September. Founded in 2016 as a biennial event, In Plein Sight is a free, week-long public exhibition for all ages to enjoy. The event will feature 25 professional artists painting from dawn to dusk at one Jeffco Open Space location each day September 10 – 15, 2018 with a gallery exhibit running September 12 – 16, 2018 at the Golden Community Center, 1470 10th Street, Golden, CO. 

 

Freshly painted works will be added to the gallery daily as the artists continue to produce new pieces throughout the week. All artwork will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting PLAN Jeffco’s educational outreach. 

 

In Plein Sight launched as the largest, first-of-its-kind plein air painting event to be held in Jeffco’s Open Space in October 2016. The launch event was wildly successful with over $35,000 of artwork sold. Literally meaning “open air,” plein air was developed in the mid-19th century by French impressionists including Monet, Pissarro, and Renoir.

 

“We are very excited to bring In Plein Sight back to Jefferson County this year,” says In Plein Sight Event Chair and longtime PLAN Jeffco board member John Litz. “It has become more important than ever to preserve our open space as the Colorado population continues to boom. We feel this event is the perfect way to celebrate our parks and inspire a new generation to learn how to both conserve and enjoy the gorgeous landscape that draws so many to our beautiful state.”

 

This year In Plein Sight will feature 25 artists who have been chosen through a national search. The majority of this year’s featured artists are brand new to the event. In Plein Sight’s 2018 artist roster includes: 

 

• Beverly Thomas (Denver, CO)*

• Cliff Austin (Aurora, CO)*

• Norbert Nagel (Lakewood, CO)*

• Betsy Johnson Welty (Denver, CO)

• Mike Ray (Littleton, CO)*

• Tom Ward (Denver, CO)

• Jennifer Riefenberg (Castle Rock, CO)*

• Shelley Howard (Denver, CO)*

• Janeice Linden (Littleton, CO)*

• Vincent Lewis (Denver, CO)

• Patty Dwyer (Littleton, CO)*

• Allana Ruby (Evergreen, CO)

• Kathleen Lanzoni (Boulder, CO)

• Lucy Yanagida (Superior, CO)

• Rodgers Naylor (Denver, CO)*

• Sheila Littlehorn (Littleton, CO)

• Judith Brunko (Evergreen, CO)

• Dawn Buckingham (Niwot, CO)

• Debbie Kerr (Evergreen, CO)

• Jessica Wicken (Aurora, CO)

• Jane Christie (Evergreen, CO)

• Joni Emily (Roxborough, CO)

• Judith Gilman (Denver, CO)

• Theresa Beck (Boulder, CO)

• Maria Tuttle (Oakland, CA)

 

*Denotes returning artist from In Plein Sight 2016

 

Participating artists will have the opportunity to paint within a variety of Jeffco Open Space Parks throughout the week including Lair O’ the Bear Park, Alderfer/Three Sisters Park, Elk Meadow Park, Centennial Cone Park and along the Clear Creek Trail in downtown Golden. The artists will be joining In Plein Sight from across the state of Colorado and as far as Oakland, CA. 

 

The artwork created throughout the week will be displayed and available for purchase in an extensive art show and sale at the Golden Community Center, 1470 10th St, Golden, CO September 12 – 16. Gallery hours are 3 – 6 p.m. Wed. – Fri.; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat.; and, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sun. 

 

“Our volunteer-led board works closely with Jeffco Open Space to advocate for the conservation of key lands,” says PLAN Jeffco Co-President Michelle Poolet. “We are dedicated to the preservation of our green spaces and we feel that now more than ever, education is a necessity to ensure our open space parks and trails are properly maintained so they can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. In Plein Sight is a wonderful opportunity for all ages to learn about what PLAN Jeffco does, as well as have an opportunity to take a beautiful rendering of Jeffco Open Space home to enjoy.”

 

 

WHAT: Plein air painting week, featuring 25 artists painting from dawn to dusk to capture their impressions of the Jeffco Open Space scenic vistas.

• Monday, Sept. 10, 2018: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Lair O’ the Bear Park (Idledale, CO)
• Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018: Artists’ choice – any location within Jeffco Open Space
• Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Alderfer/Three Sisters Park (Evergreen, CO)
• Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Elk Meadow Park (Evergreen, CO)
• Friday, Sept. 14, 2018: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Centennial Cone Park (Golden, CO)
• Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. along the Clear Creek Trail in Golden, west from the corner of 10th St. and Washington Ave. (Golden, CO)

WHAT: Gallery display of all plein air paintings created throughout the week, on view and on sale to the public. 

WHERE: Golden Community Center, 2nd floor, Clear Creek Room, 1470 10th Street, Golden

GALLERY HOURS: 3 – 6 p.m. Wed. – Fri.; 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat.; and, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sun. 

 

For more information about In Plein Sight visit www.planjeffco.org.  

 

PLAN Jeffco is a nonprofit volunteer-led organization of open space advocates based in Jefferson County, CO that works to preserve open space by educating and motivating citizens, monitoring and cooperating with government agencies and working with aligned associations and citizens. For over 45 years, PLAN Jeffco has advocated conservation of key lands as open space. In 1972, PLAN Jeffco initiated a ballot resolution that created the Jefferson County Open Space Program. The resolution provided for a ½ percent sales tax in Jefferson County that established its award-winning program. PLAN Jeffco believes that publicly owned and preserved open space is the cornerstone of any land use policy with a goal to provide citizens with enhanced quality of life. This provides economic benefits for the County and the Denver Metro area. For more information, visit www.planjeffco.org.  

 

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