Augusta's Plein Air Art Festival

About Plein Air

Plein Air, meaning "in the open air," is a form of art created outdoors. The artist listens to their senses, paying particular attention to the light. Focusing on the scenery around them, they listen to the sounds, take in the atmosphere, and feel the climate, which inspires them to express their vision on canvas. The root of Plein Air goes back to 19th century Europe. At this time, the impressionists deviated from the rules of art and headed outdoors to pain peasant life. The expansion of the railroad allowed artist to paint unchartered territory with an endless number of beautiful landscapes to be explored. By the mid 19th century, the realists began an artistic revolution, paying close attention to the light in nature. They began painting pictures by "trusting their eyes" using the colors they literally saw the light creating. Today, in keeping with the cultural heritage of Augusta, we invite artists to come and share their interpretation of our beautiful countryside and historical structures.