The Plein Air schedule for 2025 is now complete. Thank you to all the artists who participated in this year’s fantastic art show!
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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. If you plan to attend, please notify the contact person listed below. RSVP is essential at private sites.
Your works will be automatically eligible to be considered for the prestigious FrOGS-sponsored Great Swamp Celebration and Art Show October 18-19, 2025. More information here.
UPCOMING DATES:
No more planned in 2025
If you plan to attend, please notify the contact person. RSVP is essential at private sites. If you have any questions about the Plein Air program, please email or message the contact person named above or Sharon Nakazato at SharonNakazato@gmail.com (new email) or 845-612-1046.
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!
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
If attending the event on this private property, you must register ahead of time with Doreen O’Connor at 914-588 4182 or 1oconnordodo@gmail.com.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1038228915139947/?
July 11, Friday, 9-12+ — Private Horse and Tortoise Farm, Pawling
Contact: Donna Castelluccio 845-416-6942
July 17, Thursday, 9-12+ — Peterson’s Nursery, Patterson
Contact: Doreen O’Connor 914-588-4182
July 28, Monday, 9-12+ — Donna Castelluccio’s (private), Pawling. Atop the hill with winding road, flowers, trees, lovely cottage.
Contact: Donna Castelluccio 845-416-6942
Aug 5, Tuesday, 9-12 – Deer Pond Farm Audubon Preserve, 57 Wakeman Rd, Sherman CT. 06784, just over state line from NY. Woods, pond, trails, covered veranda, vistas
Contact: Doreen O’Connor 914-588 4182 1oconnordodo@gmail.com
August 7, Thursday, 9-12+ — Lakeside Park, Pawling. Corner of Charles Colman Blvd, West Dover Road and Lakeside Drive. There will be access to trails and you will be able to park closer to where you will paint. Varied landscape, waterfall, lake.
Contact: Donna Castelluccio 845-416-6942 – Please pre-register by Tuesday 5th to get a special parking pass to park closer to where you would like to paint!
August 12, Tuesday, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm, Patterson Library, 1167 Rte 311, Patterson, NY. Contact: Kay or Kyoko at the Patterson Library (845-878-6121). Artists (age 16+) should register at this link.
August 14, Thursday, 9am – 1pm, Rick Gilstad’s house (private) right on the Swamp in Wingdale. Amazing property right on/in the Great Swamp. River and critters at your feet. Covered veranda so can work in all weather.
Contact: Doreen O’Connor 914-588 4182 1oconnordodo@gmail.com
August 19, Tuesday, 9am – 1pm, Susan Hennelly’s property (private), Dover Plains. Terrific views and nice gardens, barns, etc.
Contact: Doreen, 914-588 4182 1oconnordodo@gmail.com
August 25, Monday, after 4pm, Great Hollow Preserve, Rte 37 and Haviland Hollow Rd, Sherman CT. Evening light and beautiful sunsets over fields, hills, buildings, marsh.
Contact: Donna 845 416 6942
September 4, Thursday, 9am – 1pm, Linda Gould’s farm (private), Pawling – horses, barn, turtles, etc.,
Contact: Donna Castelluccio 845 416 6942
September 10, Wednesday, 9am – 1pm, Bonnie Bray Farm (private), Brewster-Patterson. Charming small farm of rescued sheep, goats, donkey. Rain date Sept 25.
Contact: Doreen 914-588 4182 1oconnordodo@gmail.com
September 15, Monday, 5-8pm, Rounded Crest Farm (private), Pawling. Incredible views across the valley in all directions, meadows, forest, horses, barns, rock ledge. Rain date Sept 25.
Contact: Doreen 914-588 4182 1oconnordodo@gmail.com
September 23, Tuesday, 9am – 1pm, The Brine Garden (private), Pawling. Secluded gardens with varied plants and flowers. Rain date Sept 26.
Contact: Donna Castelluccio, 845 416 6942.
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.
