ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona’s natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our Parks and through our Partners. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov

Plein Air Artist "Paint Out" at Slide Rock State Park on September 19

(Phoenix, Arizona - August 13, 2009) - Arizona State Parks and Arizona Plein Air Painters will host a "Plein Air" Artist event at Slide Rock State Park during the Apple Festival on Saturday, September 19 from 8am to 12 noon. It will include a children's Paint Out Air activity.

Plein Air "paint outs" are an open invitation to all artists, amateur and professional, to paint and capture scenes inside Arizona State Parks. These live outdoor painting competitions take place in four-hour blocks. After the painting period, the artists meet to display the finished piece/pieces and submit them for judging by fellow artists. Artists should bring their easels, brushes, drop cloth, canvas, etc. They may also bring a mat or frame for protection and enhancement of their painting.

The top three paintings from each competition are entered in an annual gallery show. You can view an online gallery at AZStateParks.com. Following the 2009 series, the top three winners of each competition will be shown at an exhibit during January-February 2010.

The "paint outs" began as part of the State Parks' 50th anniversary celebrations, 2006-2007. Each year, Arizona State Parks hosts a series of 10 Plein Air "paint outs" at many Arizona State Parks. An opening reception and gallery show of the top 30 paintings follows each series of 10 "paint outs." This program aims to be a successful collaboration between creative art societies and Arizona State Parks.

Plein Air is a French term that means in the open air. At Plein Air events landscape artists gather at a designated time to have their blank canvas stamped and then head out with packed easels, paints and brushes and trek into nature looking for inspiration in the wide open spaces with good light and fresh air to paint everyday scenery.

For more information about the "paint out" at Slide Rock State Park call (928) 282-3034 or visit AZStateParks.com or arizonapleinairpainters.com. The park entrance fee is waived for participating artists.

The regular park fees are $8 per vehicle with up to 4 adults and $2 for individuals or bicyclists. Slide Rock State Park is located at 6871 N. Highway 89A in Sedona, Arizona.

For more information about the 30 State Parks, statewide hiking opportunities, off-highway vehicle trails, and other outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities in Arizona, call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit AZStateParks.com. Follow us on twitter.com/AZStateParks.

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Learn More About Slide Rock State Park (Learn More)

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http://azstateparks.com/press/2009/PR_08-13-09.html

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