Nationally Recognized Professional Artists Gather for Fifth Annual Plein Air for the Park Event

Date: July 1, 2016
Contact: Public Affairs Office, 307.739.3393

MOOSE, WY —Grand Teton National Park will serve as both the inspiration and location for the fifth annual Plein Air for the Park fine art exhibition. Beginning July 4, Grand Teton Association, Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters, and Grand Teton National Park will welcome thirty-seven professional artists from across the United States to capture the spectacular Teton landscape, wildlife and wildflowers on canvas.All sessions and events are free and open to the public.

The Plein Air for the Park event and art sale will kick-off with a gala opening reception on Wednesday, July 13, at 7 p.m. at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. The fine art show and sale will take place July 13-17. A quick draw will culminate the two-week-long exhibition at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center. Park visitors and local residents are invited to watch paintings created from start-to-finish. Immediately following the quick draw, paintings may be purchased directly off the easel for a fixed-price between 11 a.m.-12 p.m on Saturday, July 16.

Approximately forty percent of the sale proceeds from this event benefit the Grand Teton Association, which funds ongoing educational, interpretive and scientific programs in support of Grand Teton National Park.To date, Plein Air For the Park has raised over $100,000.

2016 EVENT SCHEDULE

July 4-17
Artists paint in and around Grand Teton National Park and the greater Jackson Hole area.

Saturday, July 9
Artists in the Environment Demonstration
9 a.m. –12 p.m. at String Lake in Grand Teton National Park

Monday, July 11
Painting on the Mountain
5:00 –7:00 p.m.Top of Bridger Gondola, Teton Village

Tuesday, July 12
Artist Group Demonstration
3:30 –6:30 p.m. Jackson Town Square, downtown Jackson, Wyoming

Wednesday, July 13
Gala Opening Reception and Display of New Artwork
7:00 –9:00 p.m. at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center

Book Release Celebration
Gregory I. McHuron –Plein Air Master and Mentor by Susan Hallsten McGarry chronicles the life and art of the Jackson Hole artist, and will be available for pre-order.A small memorial exhibition of McHuon's work will also be on display.

Saturday, July 16
Quick Draw and Sale 
9 a.m. –12 Noon at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center

For complete event information and a list of participating artists visithttp://www.pleinairforthepark.org/.

—NPS—