totelluride catch the changing light plein air festival | by joanna spindler
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sk any visitor what sets Telluride apart and you’ll hear two things: outdoors and creativity. Recently recognized as one of Colorado’s certified Creative Districts, the town abounds with galleries, art openings, creative exhibits and art classes. With its proximity to astounding swaths of national forest, Telluride offers limitless activities to pursue outside. For a week in late June, the two come together in an inspired celebration of art and adventure during the Telluride Plein Air Festival. Since the mid -nineteenth century, artists of an outdoorsy bent have been taking their easels into field and forest in order to better capture natural light, known as plein air painting. Since 2003, Telluride has been celebrating the coalescence of art and nature in this festival of creativity. Hosted by the Sheridan Arts Foundation during late June, the Plein Air Festival brings in over 20 recognized artists from across the country to paint the town. The artists come from diverse backgrounds, have unique artistic approaches, and find a broad range of subject matter in the valley, but on one thing they unanimously agree: Telluride is their favorite painting location yet. Bill Cramer, a five-time Plein Air Fest artist, lives in Arizona, keeping close to the wild and vast places that allow him to climb, spend time with his family, and paint—the three occupations that consume his time. “I’m always glad to come to Telluride, not just for the painting but also for the valley itself,” he said, looking up the box canyon. “I always find a new spot to paint from.” ‘Land snorkeling,’ he calls it—scouting out the most interesting locations and unique perspectives of the landscape. He’s put himself in some precarious predicaments in order to reach better vistas for his paintings, from narrow ledges in Zion to Grand Canyon precipices. “This week I took some time to climb up to the cliffs of the Via Ferrata, which was one of the best locations I can possibly imagine. You can hold me to it— next year I’m going to do some painting up there.” The featured artists are experienced in painting an enormous variety of landscapes, and Nancy MacDonald, winner of this year’s Artist’s Choice award, is no exception. “I’ve painted all over the world, from Japan to Mongolia to England, finding places with different light and landscape,” she said, “but Telluride has something special in its depth and history that I’ve never found elsewhere.” Nancy created her winning painting during a worthwhile jaunt up to the historic Tomboy Mine. Ronnie Palomar, the initiator of the first Plein Air Festival ten years ago, has seen artists return year after year and artist applications skyrocket. “We used to see just the artists come, but now they’re bringing their families and friends too because they love it so much here! Who wouldn’t want to be outside painting and meeting people and enjoying the views during this time of year?” she said. “I also have tons of locals come to me and say how much they enjoy this festival. There are so many events in Telluride that involve other arts, like film or drama, but people love that this shines a spotlight on painting specifically. It’s so great to see
painters set up along the streets and trails, seeing everyone getting acquainted with the artists, and even to see local people and places showing up in art!” It’s true: take a look at any of the works of art and you’ll immediately recognize faces and locations from around town. Attend any of the art showings and you’ll see artists and locals getting to know each other. Take a stroll through the art showings and auctions and you’ll meet a fascinating group of talented artists equally impassioned by their work and the beauty of the area. Lively and inspiring for artists, tourists, and locals alike, the Telluride Plein Air Festival brings the mountains into paintings and painters into the mountains. Next time you’re enjoying the beauty of the Telluride box canyon, experiencing its beautiful views, or marveling at its breathtaking light, take a moment to put the Plein Air Festival on your agenda.
A resident gets into the Plein Air mood with Mt. Wilson. Telluride Festivarian / Winter 2013-2014 / 36