News Feature

Castine
Originally published in Castine Patriot, July 30, 2015
Plein Air Festival deemed a success

The Castine 2015 Plein Air Festival ended with a very “picturesque” reception on Saturday evening, July 25. The festival started with a festive reception for artists, host families and sponsors on Wednesday evening at the Castine Inn. Registration was held on Thursday morning on the Castine Town Common, and the artists eagerly began painting the landscapes, architectures and history that makes up Castine, according to a news release from the Castine Arts Association.

Weather cooperated to the success of the festival, with the possible exception of a thunderstorm on Friday afternoon. Many visitors came to town just to see the artists paint “en plein air.” Ninety-two of the 217 paintings created during the festival were sold during the two-hour reception and sale on Saturday afternoon, with hundreds of art enthusiasts flooding MMA’s Alfond Student Center to see the artwork created over the festival days.

Winning artists were as follows: First Place, Michael Vermette for “Sunrise from Battle of 1779 Field;” Second Place, Chrissy Nickerson for “Looking West to the Camden Hills;” Third Place, Judy Taylor for “Castine Harbor Morning Light.” Honorable Mention awards went to five artists: Laurie Lefebvre for “Wadsworth Cover,” Roberta Goschke for “Day Sailer,” Josh Adam for “Penobscot River,” Elizabeth Ashton Hallett for “No. 9,” and Stephan Giannini for “Sleeping Boats.” A new award was established this year for “Castine Captured” and was awarded to Roberta Goschke for “Pentagoet Bicycle.”

The Castine Plein Air Festival was sponsored by the Castine Arts Association. Proceeds from the event will be used to fund its public events and programs.