September 10, 2025
By Clementina Verge
This fall, Litchfield’s historic charm and pastoral elegance will once again set the stage for one of New England’s most anticipated cultural celebrations: Plein Air Litchfield 2025 (PAL). The six-day event invites collectors and art lovers alike to experience the unique beauty of art created outdoors—in real time and natural light.
From September 30 to October 5, Litchfield transforms into a living atelier as 33 juried artists—chosen from over 100 applicants across 25 states—spread throughout town to capture its timeless essence. With brush in hand and light as their guide, they’ll interpret tree-lined roads, weathered barns, colonial storefronts, and rolling fields with skill. Their media vary, but their shared subject is the fleeting poetry of the landscape.
“Art is food for the soul, giving it a visual voice,” says Michele Murelli, PAL director. “It’s about seeing the land, history, and people through a new lens.”
Produced by Art Tripping, a Litchfield nonprofit, last year’s inaugural two-day event drew 25 artists and generated more than $10,000 in art sales within two hours. This expanded six-day festival builds on that momentum with a robust schedule elevating artistic excellence and public engagement.
Highlights include Paint the Historic District Day on October 2—where artists focus on architecture and bring to life Litchfield’s mile-square historic district. The day ends with an exclusive public exhibition and sale showcasing these works.
The following evening, the Belden House—distinguished event host—welcomes guests to an intimate, ticketed affair. Set against the Firehouse and Mews green lawn, this exhibition features nearly 100 plein air works. Admission grants access and serves as credit toward purchases, offering collectors a unique chance to acquire fresh art.
Throughout the week, artists will paint not only in town squares and farmland but in unexpected venues such as local restaurants—including the acclaimed @ The Corner. Their locations will be shared in real time on social media, allowing visitors to observe the artistic process up close. “It’s both educational and inspirational,” says Murelli. “You witness the translation of atmosphere into emotion—moment by moment.”
Returning artists include Litchfield-based sculptor Susan Wakeen, regional painter Thomas Atkins, and New York-based Ylli Haruni, an Albanian-born artist known for his luminous realism. They are joined by an impressive cohort of new participants, many drawn by the festival’s growing national reputation—thanks in no small part to plein air master Zufar Bikbov.
Bikbov, a Russian-born Connecticut resident blending Soviet-era Impressionism with an American palette, is a cornerstone of the event.
“He gave us the credibility for other artists to show up and make this possible,” Murelli notes.
This year’s juror, acclaimed painter and Litchfield native Eric Forstmann, brings a discerning eye and deep reverence for the plein air tradition, lending further gravitas to the awards process.
More than an art event, Plein Air Litchfield aspires to be a cultural catalyst—fostering connections between art, education, land conservation, and local heritage.
“This event will change the way people see Litchfield, placing us firmly on the national plein air map,” Murelli affirms.—pleinairlitchfield.com
