‘Shattered Edges’ by Carrie Dean earned the 2022 Best of Show Award. Courtesy photo

‘River Rush’ by Carole Belliveau, the judge for the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico show Aug. 4 – Sept. 2. Courtesy photo

BY DIANE STOFFEL

Thirty-five artists from Plein Air Painters of New Mexico (PAPNM) will paint ‘en plein air’ throughout Los Alamos and the surrounding area beginning July 29. The group will paint for four and a half days culminating in a show that will be on display at the Fuller Lodge Art Center (FLAC) from Aug. 4 – Sept. 2.

Los Alamos is already well known for its scientific significance, evidenced by the community’s current engagement in the Oppenheimer Festival.  But it also offers spectacular vistas, big cliffs, wild wilderness and historic sites that inspire artists, not to mention Bandelier National Monument.

The plein air artists are competing for cash prize awards which will be revealed at the exhibit opening at on Friday, Aug. 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend the opening reception, see the show and meet many well-known New Mexican artists. Paintings featuring Los Alamos and the surrounding area will be available for purchase. “Tiny Treasures” will also be for sale. These affordable 2” x 3” miniature paintings will come in a decorative tin box that is signed by the artist and makes them very collectible.

The public should note, the painters will compete in a Quick Draw event on Wednesday, Aug. 2 from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This timed painting competition will be held on Fuller Lodge lawn. Stop by and see a large group of artists painting together as they compete for prizes.

Carole Belliveau, signature member of PAPNM, will judge the 2023 Los Alamos Paint Out and Show. Belliveau is a member of the Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society and has earned Signature Status in American Women Artists, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico and Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association. She served as both President and Signature Chair of Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association for several years and as Vice President of PAPNM. Her work is in both public and private collections, notably in the Monterey California Courthouse. Belliveau had a solo retrospective exhibit last fall in Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library that was enthusiastically received by the Los Alamos community.

The show at Fuller Lodge Art Center runs from Aug. 4 – Sept. 2. Their hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Plein Air Painters of New Mexico is a non-profit organization continuing the legacy of outdoor painting since 2007. Visit their website at http://www.papnm.org