Plein Air Down Under Outdoor Painting Festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of art and nature held one hour south of Perth in the picturesque surroundings of Mandurah, Pinjarra and the wider Peel region from September 17 to 24.
This year’s festival brings together artists and art enthusiasts from the esteemed and award-winning such as Lori Putnam (USA), Leon Holmes (Aus) and Tony Robinson (UK) to first time and enthusiast painters who are all encouraged to capture the beauty of the region’s stunning landscapes.
Plein Air Down Under is Western Australia’s premier outdoor painting festival, that attracts artists from around the world and celebrates the tradition of painting ‘en plein air’ – a French term meaning ‘in the open air’.
It is expected to attract more than 200 artists who will be painting throughout Mandurah’s town centre, cultural precinct and the historic town of Pinjarra.
Established in 2019 by the not-for-profit Mandurah Plein Air Artists Inc, Plein Air Down Under offers a unique opportunity for artists to paint and exhibit their works in stunning outdoor settings.
Festival Highlights include masterclasses and ‘paint outs’, workshops and demonstrations, three days of ‘plein air painting’ with prizes and awards, a youth engagement program, exhibitions and awards and evening festivities.
There are two curated exhibitions showcasing the diverse talents of participating artists titled ‘Spirit of the Landscape’ and ‘Festival Weekend’, both held at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.
Plein Air Down Under Festival Manager Barbara Thoms expressed excitement about the upcoming event.
“Plein Air Down Under is more than just a painting festival, it’s a cultural celebration that brings people together through art,” Ms Thoms said.
“We are thrilled to welcome artists and visitors to experience the natural beauty and artistic spirit of Mandurah and the wider Peel region.”
Everyone is encouraged to attend one of the free events, to sit and watch artists creating ‘en plein air’ or join one of the ticketed events to develop their artist skills.
There are free children’s painting activities, ‘have a go watercolour activity for grown-ups’ with artists Robyn Lowry and Roy Harris, free painting demonstrations by feature artists on capturing light, being bold and people in the landscape, a two-hour quick draw painting competition (registration required) and more.
“Whether you’re an art collector seeking the rare gem, an artist looking to participate or an art lover wanting to witness the creative process, Plein Air Down Under is an unforgettable artistic adventure,” Ms Thoms said.
The festival weekend culminates in an awards ceremony celebrating the best works created during the festival with $12,000 of prizes and awards.
For more information, visit https://pleinairdownunder.com/program-at-a-glance-2024/.
