En plein air is French for “in the open air.” When participating in plein air painting, artists are more fully engaged with the landscape through perspective, composition and color. The American land conservation movement in the 19th century was inspired by landscape painting here in Western Massachusetts by artists such as Thomas Cole. Plein air painting can be done in any medium, including watercolor, oil paint, acrylic, and pastels.

Kestrel Land Trust and the Amherst Plein Air Society are offering a Fall Plein Air Landscape Painting event—the fourth in our seasonal series this year. Painters will gather outside Kestrel’s new Home on the Range in Amherst to capture on canvas  picturesque views of the pond, nearby Mount Holyoke Range, and the surrounding landscape.

Whether you paint plein air regularly, want to try painting outdoors for the first time, or you’re simply an art appreciator who would enjoy watching artists as they create, join us on Saturday, October 8th, from 9 AM to 1 PM. The event is open to artists of all levels, as well as spectators.

• At 9 AM, artists arrive at the Kestrel House to paint for a few hours. Artists should bring their own supplies, including an easel, canvas or paper, and painting or drawing supplies. A member of the Amherst Plein Air Society will be available to welcome artists and advise about set up.
• Beginning at 11 AM, the public is invited to wander the area and watch participating artists at work.
• At noon, the artists will gather informally to show and critique the paintings created that day.

Registration required. Sliding-scale donation.

To participate as a painter: Register here!

To watch participating artists: Register here!  (Note: Parking is limited, so registration is requested for spectators.)

For the safety of our community, all participants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.