Returning for another year, the Annual Plein Air Festival,hosted by Tequesta, Florida’s Lighthouse ArtCenter, brings together talented plein air artists to paint for prizes and awards. The public is invited to join in on the fun, and experience the beauty of outdoor painting alongside the artists. The festival also includes free artist demonstrations, workshops and the opportunity to purchase the freshly painted pieces. Serin Leas, programs and education director for the Lighthouse ArtCenter, shares, “Collectors can look forward to a diverse range of mediums, including oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolors and possibly some gouache. Since the essence of plein air painting lies in creating art outdoors, the majority of these works will beautifully capture landscapes and urban settings. By including artists from around the world, we gain fresh perspectives on the places we encounter every day, revealing their beauty in new and unexpected ways.”
Kari Ganoung Ruiz, Golden Morning, oil on panel, 12 x 24"
This will be Kari Ganoung Ruiz's sixth year participating in the festival. The artist was awarded the grand prize for the 2024 event for her oil landscape Golden Morning, which highlights the artist’s desire to capture transitional moments and spaces, and fleeting light conditions.
Neal Hughes painting at the 2024 Annual Plein Air Festival.
“Going into a plein air painting event, I compile a list of subjects to find and specific locations to visit,” Ruiz explains of her process. “After some research, Pine Glades Natural Area in Jupiter seemed like a great painting spot for two subjects on that list: sunrise and wetlands. I arrived just before dawn and started walking the trails to find a good location, breaking through dewy spider webs stretching across the path in front of me. The atmosphere was perfect—fog in the distance catching the first sun rays. A good way down the trail, there was a pavilion area that overlooked the expansive wetland complex. Just what I was hoping to find! I quickly went for my gear and got to work.”
Stephen Wysocki, Cows of Jupiter Creamery, oil, 6 x 18"
Festivities kick off on March 2 with the Paint Out Competition, “where professional and amateur artists alike will gather at the iconic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse to create masterpieces in a fast-paced, two-hour timed event,” says Leas. “Over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded, and the completed works will be available for purchase immediately following the competition.”
From March 3 to 7, artists paint local scenes, and scheduled artist demonstrations will take place at Sewall’s Point Park, Riverbend Park, Dubois Park and Juno Beach Pier. On March 5 from 4:30 to 6:30, is the Artist Meet and Greet and Small Works Sale,where visitors can meet the artists and purchase paintings no larger than 8 by 8 inches. The Collector’s Party & Sale is held on March 7 at the center, from 5 to 8 p.m., where attendees can purchase newly painted pieces, mingle with artists and enjoy refreshments.
Artists competing in the Battle of the Brushes.
The festival concludes with the Battle of the Brushes on March 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. “This lively finale is the last day to purchase festival paintings and features a live painting competition where top artists go head-to-head in a timed, relay-style painting event,” explains Leas.
For additional information and a full schedule of evernts visit www.lighthousearts.org. —
12th Annual Plein Air Festival
March 2-8, 2025
Lighthouse ArtCenter
373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469
www.lighthousearts.org/pleinair-2025
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