Join us for The Second Annual
Sylvania Plein Air Festival
July 28, 2024 – August 2, 2024
What is Plein Air?
The French term “Plein Air” translates to “the open air”, or out-of-doors. Plein Air painting is all about stepping out of the four walls of a studio and experiencing painting directly from observation within the landscape. This centuries old practice was made famous by the French Impressionists. Artists utilize portable easels to draw and paint while surrounded and inspired by nature. Often congregating in small groups, at set times and locations, to create art together. The practice enables the artist to build an even stronger bond with their chosen natural subject, and capture the brilliance of light and shadow in their scene.
The inaugural Sylvania Plein Air Festival was hosted August 1 – August 5, 2023 and was hailed by artists, community members, and the local media as a smashing success. The festival welcomed over 100 artists from across the U.S. and Canada to downtown Sylvania for three days of painting en plein air. The festival culminated in an exhibition and sale of paintings at The Hudson Gallery and Fuller Art House where over 60 artworks were sold. Our internationally recognized Juror, artist David Rankin, awarded over $10,000 in cash prizes to our participating artists while noting that, “the quality and organization of the Sylvania Plein Air festival has raised the bar for all plein air events in the midwest.” Join us as an artist or spectator for our Second Annual Sylvania Plein Air Festival July 28 – August 2, 2024.
Red Bird Sylvania is pleased to bring this time-honored painting practice to our community.
Picturesque Sylvania offers the artist many landscape and architectural options including inclusive and accessible residential and commercial areas all conveniently nestled between two park systems including a river trail and a historical village. All Festival activities and pre-festival workshops are located within walkable areas. Downtown Sylvania boasts ample parking and is a short distance from US-23 and I-475 near the Ohio and Michigan line within the Oak Openings region.
Sylvania is home to the Red Bird Arts District with two exceptional fine art galleries, a high-quality art supply store, and many art enthusiasts. Hudson Gallery and Fuller Art House have represented best-in-class artwork in Northwest Ohio and the surrounding region for a combined 29 years. The Art Supply Depo boasts 13 years in business as a provider of high-quality and hard to find materials for artists of all ages and skill levels. Fuller Art House and The Art Supply Depo are renowned for hosting valued artist workshops and demonstrations for artists of all ages. These artist-owned businesses and the Main Street merchants that comprise Red Bird Sylvania are delighted to offer this inspired event to the greater community and to artists of all ages and abilities.
Registration begins for artists on March 20, 2024
Join the fun
This spring and summer, prior to the festival, join in the fun by taking an exciting workshop where you can try your hand at Plein Air painting. Workshops are hosted by our community partners at Fuller Art House, The Art Supply Depo, Sylvania Senior Center, The Ability Center, and Create Sylvania.
It is our privilege to welcome you into our arts community. We hope our passion for the arts and community inspires you to integrate art and creativity into your life. It is our mission at Red Bird Sylvania to bring you the best in arts and inclusive culture. We appreciate your willingness to join us on our journey to delight and inspire those in the Sylvania, Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan area.