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.
The schedule has now been updated through August providing more opportunities for you to 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, 2025.
PAST DATES
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!
UPCOMING DATES:
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. There will be no formal FrOGS sign-ins for this event. Participants are free to come and paint where they like. Later in the season there will be events on private properties in Brewster.
July 7, Monday, 9-12+ — Rounded Crest Horse Farm (formerly Mistover), Pawling
Contact Person: Doreen O’Connor 914-588-4182
July 11, Friday, 9-12+ — Private Horse and Tortoise Farm, Pawling
Contact Person: Donna Castelluccio 845-416-6942
July 17, Thursday, 9-12+ — Peterson’s Nursery, Patterson
Contact Person: Doreen O’Connor 914-588-4182
July 28, Monday, 9-12+ — Donna Castelluccio’s, Pawling
Contact Person: Donna Castelluccio 845-416-6942
August 7, Thursday, 9-12+ — Lakeside Park, Pawling
Contact Person: Donna Castelluccio 845-416-6942
More to come in August and September!
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.
