En Plein Air in Litchfield

By Douglas Clement

Some of the finest landscape painters in the Northeast will gather on Oct. 5 for an invitation-only celebration of the art of plein air painting, or painting done outdoors rather than in a studio.

The one-day event is hosted by the Litchfield Economic Development Commission, the Litchfield Historical Society, and a local arts nonprofit called Art Tripping.

An estimated 28 artists will set up their easels and brushes all over town and at Litchfield’s farms, trails, lakes and rivers, capturing outdoor scenes and the village’s historic architecture. They will capture the light and the essence of this historic county seat and its surroundings.

The painters can be seen at work on @visitlitchfieldct and @arttripping on Instagram and Facebook; and it will be possible to visit sites around town and watch them paint. 

The works will be available for sale after the judging at Milton Hall. Cash prizes will be given for first-to-third place winners (there will also be a People’s Choice Award). 

The hope is that this first plein air event will lead to larger-scale events in the future. The Litchfield Hills and surrounding areas have always attracted artists of national renown, as well as talented amateurs. Plein Air Litchfield will celebrate that heritage and, the organizers hope, will lead to future multi-day events that attract artists from around the country and the world.—litchfieldartscouncil.org and [email protected]