The Plein-Air Painters of America announces its 22nd exhibition and sale hosted by The Haggin Museum, Stockton, California.  American Legacy: Our National Parks opens with a gala weekend of events on October 2-4, 2009, and remains on view through January 10, 2010.

The exhibition comprises more than 100 paintings by 35 members and guests of the Plein-Air Painters of America, documenting 35 different National Park Service (NPS) units stretching from coast to coast and border to border. An additional segment of approximately 15 paintings celebrates the centennial of Zion National Park, which was established in 1909.

BEING THERE. The adjective plein-air refers to the philosophical belief that going into the field and painting on-location, challenging as it may be, is crucial to successfully documenting a visual and emotional point in time and place.  The artists in this exhibition are recognized as some of the finest on-location painters in the country. Each visited his or her park, documenting locations that give vision to the unique elements that prompted U.S. Presidents and Congresses to  “preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.” 

From Wyoming’s Yellowstone, designated a park in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant, to the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, designated by President George W. Bush in 2002, American Legacy takes viewers on a journey through 130 years of  preservation.  In many ways it is “field journal” experience of  jewel-like colors, dazzling light, and subtle nuances. Parks such as Kenai Fjords in Alaska are so vast and remote that Joan M. LaRue found it best to view it from a boat on the outside looking in. Golden Gate National Recreation Area, on the other hand, is  an urban retreat that Ken Auster has enjoyed many times himself. Breathtaking vistas and intimate off-road locations are captured in both field studies, as well as studio paintings created from field experiences. 
 

ARTISTS & PARKS
*Designates a Guest Artist

Ken Auster, Golden Gate
Kenn Backhaus, Appalachian Trail
Christopher Blossom, Weir Farm
John Budicin, Yosemite
Scott Burdick, Blue Ridge Parkway
Denise Burns, Death Valley
Gil Dellinger, Point Reyes
Mary DeLoyht-Arendt, Tonto
Don Demers, Acadia
Louise DeMore, Grand Teton
Gay Faulkenberry, Ozark
West Fraser, Cumberland Island*
Lynn Gertenbach, Santa Monica Mountains
Walt Gonske, Black Canyon of the Gunnison*
Quang Ho, Grand Canyon*
Raleigh Kinney, Voyageurs
Frank LaLumia, Canyon de Chelly
Joan M. LaRue, Kenai Fjords
Jean LeGassick, Great Basin
Kevin Macpherson, Zion
Joseph McGurl, Boston Harbor Islands*
Joseph Mendez, Mojave
Ned Mueller, North Cascades
Ralph Oberg, Yellowstone
Joe Paquet, Mississippi
Jean Perry, Mesa Verde
Ron Rencher, Canyonlands
Ray Roberts, Old Spanish Trail
Jane Shuss, Salem Maritime
Matt Smith, Saguaro
Kathryn Stats, Capitol Reef*
Brian Stewart, St. Croix
George Strickland, Organ Pipe Cactus
Linda Tippetts, Glacier
Skip Whitcomb, Rocky Mountain

CATALOG. A color catalog documenting the artworks describes the parks and the artists’ experiences, including an essay by art historian Jean Stern on historic artists in the park.
 
EVENTS. The exhibition opens with a weekend of events. For an invitation, please contact The Haggin Museum at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 209.940.6312

Gala Opening Reception, Friday, October 2, 2009, 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Prior to the official opening, a gala reception with the artists allows attendees a first opportunity to view the exhibition and purchase the paintings. Connoisseur ticket-holders have an exclusive opportunity to purchase the paintings from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Painting Demonstration, Saturday, October 3, 2009, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Participating artists set up their easels at Stockton's Victory Park. Attendees can watch the artists at work and bid on their finished paintings. Lunch will be provided to Connoisseur ticket-holders.

Gallery Talk, Sunday, October 4, 2009,  2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Catalog essayist, Jean Stern, executive director of The Irvine Museum, presents "100 Years of Landscape Painting in California." This special event is included with regular museum admission and free for Connoisseur ticket-holders.

THE HAGGIN MUSEUM has been referred to by Sunset magazine as “one of the under-sung gems of California.” For 78 years, the museum has acquired, maintained and exhibited two important types of collections — one composed of works of fine art and the other devoted to area history. Its art collection features works by such noted 19th-century painters as Albert Bierstadt, Rosa Bonheur and William-Adolphe Bouguereau, as well as many other American and European artists. The history displays focus on the past accomplishments of area residents. The Haggin Museum hosted the PAPA exhibition From the Heart in 2007 and has organized several traveling exhibitions, including the 2004-2007 From Sea to Shining Sea: Reflections of America.

THE PLEIN-AIR PAINTERS OF AMERICA was founded in 1986 in Avalon, Catalina Island, California. As professional artists, PAPA members are dedicated to the historic tradition of painting directly from life and striving to more fully explore and respond to the timeless beauty that surrounds us all. Signature Membership in the group is by invitation and recognizes superiority in the technique of painting on location and honors the individual’s professional standing in the arts community.