CAPITOLA—Forty artists from across the county fanned out around Capitola last week with canvas, easels, chalk and tubes of color in tow, in hopes of distilling a handful of the coastal city’s choice land and seascapes on canvas and paper.
The efforts were part of the fifth annual Capitola Plein Art Festival, where artists were brought in to energize locals about the art scene in a competition arena.
The event unfolded in three stages. The “Paintout” on Oct. 30 allowed artists to take up a position in front the scene of their choice, from the high cliffs to the wharf, the village, beaches and around the neighborhood with art supplies in hand. That was followed by the “Quick Draw & Sale”—new this year—where artists were given a two-hour window to complete work while the public was invited to join them, ask questions and hear them describe their process. That was followed by a display and sale.
“The event this year was fantastic; it was a great show,” said Laurie Hill, the Capitola Arts and Cultural commissioner who chaired the event for the first time this year as a volunteer. “Our Quick Draw on Saturday where 35 artists had only two hours to paint and hang their art created a great buzz in the Village.”
Hill said each artist created between four and seven works for the third phase of the event, the “Exhibition & Sale.” Held in the Performing Arts Center of New Brighton Middle School, the show drew hundreds of visitors for the one-day blowout.
Hill said Plein Air will continue in years to come, with some refining changes already in the works.
“At Capitola Plein Air art and heart are more than just a rhyme,” Hill said. “The Plein Air experience brings you up close to the out of doors art and the artists and it presents opportunities to talk to the artists as they paint.”
