Attention all painters, drawers, and photographers! We have an inviting schedule of Plein Air artist events this year led by our Board member Sharon Nakazato and her assistants Donna Castelluccio and Doreen O’Connor. Both experienced and aspiring artists are welcome to all events.
So far, we have scheduled numerous Plein Air events through June where you can enjoy the endlessly varied beauty of the Great Swamp Watershed (sometimes on private estates opened only to us) to sketch, photograph, paint, or contemplate creatively. We have a number of new and exciting private sites lined up this year!
Your works will be automatically eligible to be considered for the prestigious FrOGS-sponsored Great Swamp Celebration and Art Show October 18-19. More Plein Air events will be scheduled as the season progresses.
Special Event: Plein Air Intro by Doreen O’Connor!
Want to know how to get started with plein air painting or get some special tips to make it more comfortable and more fun? Previous ‘Celebration and Art Show’ prize winner and professional Doreen O’Connor is offering a special “Introduction to Plein Air Painting” on her beautiful new property at the May 28 event. This instruction is optional and free!
May 22, Thursday (from 9:00 am) — Patterson Environmental Park Boardwalk. Contact: Donna Castelluccio 845-416-6942
May 28, Wednesday (10:00 am) — Dover Plains, NY 12522 with optional “Introduction to Plein Air Painting” by Doreen.
Contact: Doreen O’Connor 914-588-4182, RSVP Required!
June 3, Tuesday, (from 9:00 am) — Native Landscapes grounds (meet here) and AT Boardwalk. Contact: Donna Castelluccio 845-416-6942
June 12, Thursday (from 9:00 am) — Diverting Reservoir (meet at the gazebo), Veterans Park, Brewster, NY. Contact: Sharon Nakazato 845-612-1046
June 18, Wednesday (from 9:00 am) — Rick Gilsted’s place, Wingdale 12594. Contact: Doreen O’Connor 914-588-4182, RSVP Required!
June 24, Tuesday (from 9:00 am) — Great Hollow Nature Preserve, New Fairfield, CT. Contact: Sharon Nakazato 845-612-1046
June 30, Monday (from 4:30 pm) — Diverting Reservoir (meet at the gazebo), Veterans Park, Brewster, NY. Contact: Sharon Nakazato 845-612-1046
If you plan to attend, please notify the contact person. RSVP is required at private sites. If you have any questions about the Plein Air program, please email or message Sharon Nakazato at SharonNakazato@gmail.com (new email) or 845-612-1046.
Highlights of Plein Air Sites
Patterson Environmental Park has great views of The Great Swamp and surrounding woods. Drive right up to the boardwalk or wander the paths and boardwalk. Water, flowers, plants, and birds. Be sure to bring bug repellant.
Diverting Reservoir offers both riverside views and forest as well as the panorama of the mountains in the background. The bridge at the ball field is a perfect place to set up and see both upriver and downriver. It is closed to motor traffic.
Great Hollow Nature Preserve, just over the border of NY into CT, has miles of hiking trails, all kinds of views both close up and distant, and changes with the light throughout the day. Last year the Plein Air event scheduled for late afternoon into evening provided some absolutely spectacular sunset viewing time.
Connecticut Audubon at Deer Pond Farm, over the border from Pawling NY, is another gem with almost endless variety, from pond to bog to wetland paths to pine forest to…. Some amazing trees and a gorgeous butterfly garden. Formerly a private estate devoted to environmental conservation for wildlife, especially birds, this is another place to visit again and again as the seasons go through their changes.
Native Landscaping is generously opening their private property to artists for the June 3 event, offering closeup viewing opportunities for many native plant species as well as spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
Appalachian Trail (AT) Boardwalk lets you get out in the middle of The Great Swamp amid the phragmites and cattails, and across the Swamp River.
