Plein air painters collect over $30,000 in prizes in Laguna Beach competition
More than $30,000 in prizes were awarded to artists who participated in the 19th annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational, which wrapped up Sunday.
Thirty-five of the nation’s top plein air painters were invited by the Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn. to gather in Laguna Beach for the nine-day outdoor competition.
The invitational celebrates the tradition of plein, or open, air painting that established Laguna Beach as an art colony more than 100 years ago.
The Best in Show award, with a $10,000 cash prize, went to Aimee Erickson of Portland, Ore., for her painting “Before Sunrise.”
Other award winners, with each artist’s city of residence and painting title:
Award of Excellence — Jason Sacran, Magazine, Ark., “Breaking Light, Three Arches”
Distinctive Merit Award — Zufar Bikbov, Oakville, Conn., “Made in the Shade”
Spirit of Laguna Award — Rick Delanty, San Clemente, “Red, Red Ruby”
Dr. Edward H. Boseker Award — Jennifer Diehl, Mount Angel, Ore., “Laguna Nights”
The Irvine Museum Collection at UCI Award — Jim McVicker, Loleta, Calif., “Main Beach Atmosphere”
Architectural Award — Charlie Hunter, Bellows Falls, Vt., “Beach Shack Crystal Cove”
Artistic Palette Award — Andy Evansen, Vermillion, Minn., “Midnight on Main Beach”
Southwest Art Quick Draw Award — John Cosby, San Clemente, “Laguna Stroll”
American Art Collector Award — Jeff Sewell, Costa Mesa, “South Swell, South Laguna”
PleinAir Magazine Award — Greg LaRock, Newport Beach, “Yard Work”
Strada Award — Michele Usibelli, Woodway, Wash., body of work
Directors’ Choice Award — Suzie Baker, Shenandoah, Texas, “Good Morning Laguna”
Fine Art Connoisseur Award — Jane Hunt, Boulder, Colo., body of work
OutdoorPainter.com Award — Stephanie Hartshorn, Denver, “Well Guarded”
Revelite Award — Rita Pacheco, Carlsbad, “Crystal Clear Morning”
Sacran also earned the Artists’ Choice Award, based on votes cast by participating artists, while Jove Wang of Alhambra earned the Collectors’ Choice Award, based on votes cast by collectors in attendance.
Delanty earned the association’s 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award for his body of work and contributions to art education, according to a news release.
Yvonne Boseker earned the Lifetime Member Award for her support of and commitment to the arts, the release said.
The association also invited Laguna College of Art and Design students to participate in a Next Generation paint-out.
Brandon Gonzales received the Best in Show award in that event’s graduate program category, while Emily Bertucci, Ben Jarvis and Kyle Larson placed first, second and third, respectively, in the undergraduate program category.
Collectors purchased all of the students’ works, the association said.
Twitter: @AldertonBryce
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