A LOT OF PLEIN AIR ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI

En route to the Twin Cities we avoided the highway and took the scenic route up on the Minnesota side stopping in Red Wing, MN, picnicking by the train station's waterside park. Luckily we happened upon the Red Wing Arts Association Gallery in the  Depot. 

30 Wisconsin and Minnesota regional artists had held their wine reception the previous evening after finishing their juried Plein Air challenge (June 20-25)  to paint the town and Mississippi towns and scenery nearby.

Daily painting was held in a different locale and the public was invited to watch. 
Monday: the Harbor Bar and Eisenhower Bridge
Tuesday:In honor of the Solstice painting the sunset at Memorial Park at Sorin's Bluff
Wednesday: artists set up at the Concert in the Park
Thursday: artists were located in Wisconsin between Prescott and  Pepin painting scenery also Viroqua, WI artist Kathy Wheeler, the exhibit's judge, gave a demo in Red Wing.

Duane Bonhart's work top L received judge's recognition

Then, Friday by noon each participating artist submitted 3 of their week's paintings (out of a possible 6 to 10) 



Saturday there also  was a 2 hour  'Quick Paint' down at the Levee. 
We fortuitously walked in on Tuesday in time for the public vote. The votes were being counted as we perused the week's work.

Since the skies have been super phenomenal this past week I choose to limit my decision making to a piece with a stunning sky. In my mind, it was between the two paintings below. 

Stockholm painting by Doug Berg

Surrounding countryside  by Ivan Zassavitski

Which would you have chosen? 

The Plein Air exhibit will continue through August 28th and all the work is for sale. Treat yourself. The Gallery also has a small but terrific gift shop. It's a win win and you get to support local artists.