WHAT IS PLEIN AIR?
In the late 1800s, the Plein Air approach was incorporated with the impressionists’ style, and artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley and Frédéric Bazille began creating their work outdoors.
Recruit and curate a cohort of top-tier artists to gather on Cape Ann, Massachusetts, inviting them to take advantage of the natural beauty and long history of outdoor painting alongside Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer.
HOW WE IMPACT
Connecting high-quality paintings with collectors in New England and awarding over $100k in prizes since our beginning has worked to support professional artists and infuse Cape Ann with economic impact.Find out why artists from around the world are drawn to America’s oldest sea port. Stroll through artist galleries and studios nestled on the Atlantic. Grab lunch on the water overlooking a working fishing harbor. Experience arts and culture at one of the world-class museums, theater, or heritage center. Venues offer a calendar of special events and daytime galleries perfect for a casual visit or an overnight stay.
Many paintings will be available for sale during the full duration of the competition and festival. Selected works will be shown and available for sale during the Gala Reception and Awards Presentation, at the conclusion of the competition. This is your chance to purchase works by some of the top names in contemporary painting.
Cape Ann, a picturesque Massachusetts peninsula, has long been a muse for artists. Now, Cape Ann Plein Air, a renowned plein air painting festival, is ensuring this artistic legacy thrives for generations to come through their partnership with Cape Ann Art Haven.
Plein air, the art of painting outdoors, embodies the very essence of childhood – experiencing the world with fresh eyes and capturing it in the moment. By working with Art Haven to introduce Cape Ann's youth to this art form, Cape Ann Plein Air isn't just fostering creativity; they're supporting these young minds in weaving themselves into the region's artistic tapestry.
This impact goes beyond individual inspiration. Cape Ann Plein Air and Cape Ann Art Haven host multi-generational events that are low cost, delivered out in the community, bringing children, teens, and adults together to paint side-by-side. These events serve a powerful purpose: they demonstrate that art isn't confined by age or income, but rather, a lifelong pursuit to be embraced by all.
This dedication to inclusivity is particularly critical in Gloucester, the largest community on Cape Ann, where over 40% of youth are low income. Having a consistent exposure to art classes and art making has been shown to increase students’ academic performance, engagement, and their overall well being. This is enrichment that every one of our students deserve, and is unfairly out of reach for most low income students. Recognizing the importance of offsetting this inequity, Cape Ann Plein Air proudly supports Cape Ann Art Haven.
Through their annual festival, Cape Ann Plein Air generously donates a portion of their proceeds to Cape Ann Art Haven. These funds directly translate to art education for children and teens made accessible by removing the barriers of cost and transportation. By collaborating with organizations across Cape Ann we are building a nurturing environment where young artists can explore, learn, and grow.
Looking ahead, the collaboration extends beyond financial support. Together, Cape Ann Plein Air and Cape Ann Art Haven are creating a vibrant artistic community where all ages practice and celebrate art, building bridges through shared creativity. On Cape Ann, art is a way of life.