By midsummer, Cashiers is hard to resist. The sun slips in and out of the clouds, the landscape turns a deep shade of emerald and the landscape makes a strong case for spending as much time outdoors as possible.
That is part of the pleasure of being outside: the view is never static. A breeze shifts the trees, a hawk cuts across the sky, the light changes by the minute, and familiar scenery suddenly feels new again.
That’s the enduring appeal of plein air painting. Popularized by the great French painters of the late nineteenth century, the practice remains compelling for a simple reason: it captures a place as it is living and changing in real time.
Cashiers has made that tradition its own. Every two years, The Village Green presents the Cashiers Plein Air Festival, inviting acclaimed artists from across the country and abroad to set up outdoors and paint the mountains in all their shifting summer light. The presenting sponsor of this year’s festival is Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate, whose support helps bring this celebrated event to life.
From July 13-18, 20 artists will fan out across Cashiers, turning one week of summer into a live study of place and atmosphere.
The festival also features a series of public artist demonstrations at the Commons Stage, the Groovin’ on the Green Stage, and Lewis Hall. Featured artists include Lila McAlpin on Monday from 11:00 A.M. to noon, Steve Puttrich on Wednesday from 11:00 A.M. to noon, Michelle Held on Thursday from 11:00 A.M. to noon, Greg Barnes on Thursday from 2:00 to 3:00 P.M., and Sarah Sneeden on Friday from 11:00 A.M. to noon.
For anyone who enjoys seeing work fresh from the easel, Lewis Hall at The Village Green will be a highlight. Visitors can view the finished paintings up close and, if a particular scene stays with them, take home a piece of Cashiers in summer.
Admission to the Cashiers Plein Air Festival Gallery is free and open to the public July 16-18 from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Lewis Hall, 160 Frank Allen Road. All remaining events will also take place at Lewis Hall.
The week also includes a private benefactor preview reception on Wednesday, July 15, from 5:30 to 8:00 P.M. On Saturday, July 18, the public can watch the Artists’ Quick Paint on The Green from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M., followed later that evening by the Artist Award Ceremony from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Proceeds support The Village Green, the nonprofit steward of the public green space known as “The Heart of Cashiers,” helping sustain free events and cultural programming throughout the year.
Favorites Count: 0