The Seventh Biennial Cashiers Plein Air Festival
Words by Emily Davis | Photography courtesy of The Village Green
Once again, lovers of art will flock to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau this summer, converging upon The Village Green to delight in the seventh biennial Cashiers Plein Air Festival. From July 14 to 20, the gathering of painters and patrons provides an intimate glimpse into the artistic process, with abundant opportunities to mingle, shop, and celebrate fine art.
Open by invitation to 19 nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, the event features a number of ticketed and open events showcasing their work. In addition, spectators will discover the artists working at their easels at specially chosen locations throughout our famously scenic and spectacularly beautiful town.
In artistic tradition, “plein air” denotes the 19th-century practice of painting outdoors, utilized by celebrated masters such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissaro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Having evolved out of French Impressionism, plein air now represents a common method of artistic expression, particularly with regard to landscapes and subjects posed within outdoor scenes. The technique requires a delicate balance of skillful use of materials and vigilant awareness of one’s surroundings while allowing the painter to harness natural light, color, and movement to achieve a vivid and accurate portrayal of the subject. The process itself can be quite a sight to behold!
Benefactors will enjoy an exclusive sneak peek at the unveiling of these works when they attend the Benefactor Preview Party on July 17. These esteemed patrons of the arts also earn special 9 AM access to the gallery at The Village Green’s Lewis Hall from July 18 through 20, an hour before the facility opens to the public each day. With admission free to all, the gallery presents a tempting opportunity to take home an original plein air painting created here on The Plateau.
From July 17 through 19, three participating artists will present live demonstrations of their techniques and unique viewpoints on art. The ticketed events provide a rare opportunity to gain personal insight into the mind of an artist, adding to one’s appreciation of plein-air painting and the creative process overall.
The week concludes on the evening of July 20, when attendees and artists mingle to enjoy live jazz music, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and intricately crafted desserts at the Artist Award Gala. Participating artists who generously donate their time to the festival will be appropriately lauded for their talents and dedicated work in numerous categories, such as People’s Choice and Artist’s Choice awards. The summer soirée promises to be a night to remember as benefactors and artists share their mutual love of culture and creation on The Plateau.
Known as “The Heart of Cashiers,” The Village Green is a nonprofit organization that relies entirely upon private donations to maintain the property and its operations. Proceeds from Benefactor Packages, along with the sales of event tickets and artwork, support the group’s efforts, which greatly benefit the Village of Cashiers, its residents, and visitors.
For more information on the week’s schedule and to purchase tickets for the Cashiers Plein Air Festival events, visit Cashierspleinairfestival.com.