LAC Sets 12th Annual Plein Air Art Festival

(Press Release) Tequesta, Fla., (January 31, 2024) – Lighthouse ArtCenter's 12th Annual Plein Air Festival returns March 2 - 8, 2025, uniting thirty internationally acclaimed plein air artists to compete for over $15,000 in cash and prizes. This celebrated event invites the public to experience the beauty of outdoor painting with free artist demonstrations, events, and the opportunity to purchase freshly painted works throughout the week at Lighthouse ArtCenter, 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL 33469. For a full schedule of events, visit lighthousearts.org/pleinair-2025/.

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"Plein air painting captures what no photograph ever can—the energy, atmosphere, and true essence of a moment. The warmth of the sun, the crispness of a breeze, or the calm of a perfect morning flows directly from the artist’s brush onto the canvas, bringing the scene to life in a way that is both immediate and timeless," said Lighthouse ArtCenter's Executive Director, Jeni Licata.
 
Festival Highlights Include:
Paint Out Competition (March 2, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.) Kicking off the festival, professional and amateur artists will gather at the iconic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse to paint in a fast-paced, two-hour timed event. Over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded, and the completed works will be available for purchase immediately following the competition. Attendees receive discounted admission of $10 to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse when they mention the LAC Plein Air Festival.
 
Daily Plein Air Painting and Demonstrations (Monday -Thursday, March 3 - 6): Award-winning artists will paint stunning local scenes across Palm Beach and Martin Counties. From "Old Florida" landscapes to picturesque coastlines and iconic landmarks, the public is invited to watch these masters at work. Free, scheduled artist demonstrations will take place at Sewall's Point Park, Riverbend Park, Dubois Park, and Juno Beach Pier. For the full schedule, visit lighthousearts.org/pleinair-2025, and follow real-time updates on Instagram @lighthouseartcenter.
 
Artists’ Reception and Small Works Sale (Wednesday, March 5, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.) Meet the artists, enjoy light bites, and browse the LAC gallery to purchase artwork. Visitors can also shop the Small Works Sale, featuring 8" x 8" pieces by participating artists, perfect for collectors of all levels. Admission is free.
 
Collectors' Party & Sale (Friday, March 7, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.): This special evening at Lighthouse ArtCenter offers attendees the opportunity to purchase freshly painted, one-of-a-kind artworks. Guests will enjoy signature hors d'oeuvres and refreshments while mingling with artists and fellow collectors. Admission is free.
 
Battle of the Brushes (Saturday, March 8, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.): This lively finale is the last day to purchase festival paintings and features a live painting competition at Lighthouse ArtCenter where top artists go head-to-head in a timed relay-style painting event. All competition art will be on display. Admission is free.
 
Artist Mary Garrish will be this year’s judge. She is celebrated for her evocative seascapes and coastal scenes. With a background as an ENT surgeon, Garrish discovered her passion for plein air painting through workshops with masters like Scott Christensen and Matt Smith. Her career has since flourished, with residencies at Everglades National Park and teaching engagements in France and Italy. Known for her representational style, she captures the ever-changing atmosphere in her work, inspiring artists and collectors alike.
 
Special Workshops:
Two Plein Air workshops are available for artists looking to refine their skills:
Mark Shasha’s “Bringing Exciting Light into Your Paintings” (February 25 - 26): Learn to enhance light and atmosphere in your work with techniques developed over Shasha’s 40-year career. Stephen Wysocki’s “Paint Cows! And Other Farm Animals” (February 27 - 28): Practice painting livestock on-site at a local farm, followed by studio work to complete your pieces.
 
Participating Artists:


Andreeva, Natalia – Tallahassee, FL
Anderson, Marc – Door County, WI
Agrawal, Harsh – London, UK
Ayres, Pam – Tequesta, FL
Brauer, Lon – Granite City, IL
Bretzke, Carl – Minneapolis, MN
Brown, Krystal – Spring, TX
Cedrone, Eli – Boston, MA
Cusick, Lori – Dallas, TX
Denis, Kathleen – Palm Beach Shores, FL
Farnsworth, Bill – Venice, FL
Frisk, Gary – Houston, TX
Ganoung Ruiz, Kari – Interlaken, NY
Guernsey, John – Georgia
Hammond, Kathy – Texas
Hunter, Lizzie – Miami, FL
Hughes, Neal – Medford, NJ
Maldonado, Carlos – Iowa City, IA
Papa, Ralph – Boca Raton, FL
Pisano, Crista – Nyack, NY
Roberts, Robin – Ashland, OH
Sander, Manon – Tequesta, FL
Savellano, David – Alameda, CA
Shasha, Mark – Swampscott, MA
Sneary, Richard – Missouri
Steiner, Jeff – Minneapolis, MN
Tomova Clark, Lyudmila – New York, NY
Wysocki, Stephen – Armstrong Creek, WI
Widgeren, LuAnn – Holmes Beach, FL
Ramar, Antwan – Central FL
 
All paintings can be viewed and available for purchase Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery throughout the week from 9 am- 6 pm.