By Anna Skinner
For the eighth year, Plein Air Painters will once again grace the streets of Noblesville and various spots around Hamilton County. However, this year brings a few changes.
The Hamilton County Artists’ Association started Plein Air Painters eight years ago, and this year Nickel Plate Arts will take over the administration processes so more HCAA artists can participate.
“The whole point of the gathering is to bring people together who like to paint outside,” said Aili McGill, director of Nickel Plate Arts. “All these artists come together and will find places through the county that are particular picturesque. It means we get a nice, wide style of art, and we get some really nice images of what Hamilton County is like.”
Another new implement is the event is planned to occur the same weekend as the St. Michael’s Strawberry Festival on the courthouse square in Noblesville.
“We saw the opportunity to hook this project up with the St. Michael’s Strawberry Festival. For the last couple of years, St. Michael’s has shown an interest in having an art fair as part of the festival to make it bigger and more exciting,” McGill said. “We thought there was an opportunity to consolidate the audience, pull everybody together and bring more visibility to the plein air program.”
Those interested may come see the art created from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 18 at the north side of the courthouse square in downtown Noblesville. Art created during the plein air event will be for sale. Prizes will be awarded by various judges to the first, second and third best paintings.
“We are excited to be able to be involved in this event and help make sure it succeeds in the future,” McGill said.
Proceeds from the event are split between St. Michael’s, HCAA and Nickel Plate Arts. For more, visit hcaa-in.org or nickelplatearts.org.
