Plein air painting exhibit on display at Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Pieces created by nine plein air painters during the June 15 and 15 Art in Bloom Garden Tour is on display at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts.

Each painter had the opportunity to paint over the course of two days in one of five different gardens. Their resulting efforts will be on display in the Upper Gallery of the Black Mountain Center for the Arts through July 19.

The Upper Gallery is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the exception of the week of Fourth of July, when the Arts Center will be closed.

This year’s painters were Rob Freet, Gaylene Petcu, Sara Sneedon, Susan Lueck, Cheryl Keefer, Susan Sinyai, Lisa Steffens, Bee Adams and Lauren Waterworth.

The work includes oil, pastel, watercolor and acrylic. Each artist paints the garden or home or some aspect of the setting from their own point of view as visitors tour the gardens and watch as the painters work unfolds.

All the work is for sale as part of the Arts Center’s annual fundraiser.

This will be Susan Sinyai’s fifth year participating in Art in Bloom as a plein air painter.

“I really enjoy this experience,” said Sinyai who has displayed her work in the Upper Gallery not only with Art in Bloom but also as part of the Appalachian Pastel Society semi-annual show. “The Garden Tour experience with the Arts Center’s Art in Bloom gives me a chance to go out and paint in a beautiful setting that is provided for me. I don’t have to look for it or obtain my own permission and I really enjoy the people, from the homeowners to the garden guides and all of the guests. The event has made me more confident about painting in public. It has been a real growing experience.”

The Upper Gallery at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts is located at 225 West State Street. For more information call 669-0930 or visit blackmountainarts.org.