“Color Columbia: Plein Air Paint Out” event hosts artists at Lake Kittamaqundi and Wilde Lake on Sept. 9
In celebration of Columbia’s 50th Birthday, approximately 50 artists will ditch their studios for the day to paint al fresco around Lake Kittamaqundi and Wilde Lake — capturing wildlife, nature and the serene views around two of Columbia’s signature lakes.
Color Columbia: Plein Air Paint Out will take place on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 8:30am-7pm. Visitors are invited to tour the painting sites at both lakes and watch along as the artists create and complete their works. Site maps will be available at the welcome booth at Lake Kittamaqundi, which closes at 5pm. Additional family-friendly art activities will be held throughout the day at Lake Kittamaqundi near the People Tree.
“We’re so excited to bring the first plein air painting event to Columbia to celebrate our community’s 50th birthday,” said Liz Henzey, director of Columbia Association’s Columbia Art Center. “We’re always striving to bring art to the community, and this event is a wonderful way to do that directly — bringing art and artists to some of the most beautiful locations in Columbia.”
Among the artists confirmed for the Plein Air Paint Out are Cathy Gale, Kathy Gardiner, Rana Geralis, Erin Gill, Dana Kleinsteuber, Jane Knighton, Kathleen Kotarba, Michael Kotarba, April Rimpo, Duane Sabiston, Andree Tullier and Mary Jo Tydlacka.
The works will be judged and then exhibited at Columbia Art Center’s Main Gallery (6100 Foreland Garth in the Long Reach Village Center) from Sept. 16-30. The jurors for the show are award-winning artist and art teacher Desiree Holmes Scherini and Coleen West, executive director of the Howard County Arts Council.
A reception and awards ceremony will be held Saturday, Sept. 16 from 3-5pm. Awards will be announced at 3:45pm. Sponsors of this event include the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, Richard B. Talkin, Howard County Promotion and Tourism, Columbia Association and Columbia Art Center.
Artists interested in participating should contact Liz Henzey (Liz.Henzey@ColumbiaAssociation.org) or contact Trudy Babchak (Trudy.Babchak@ColumbiaAssociation.org) and/or visit columbiaassociation.org/colorcolumbia, email Art.Staff@ColumbiaAssociation.org or call 410-730-0075.
Columbia Art Center is dedicated to providing experiences in the visual arts for all ages and interest levels and to joining with local arts organizations and community businesses in creating diverse offerings. The Art Center offers year-round art classes, rotating gallery exhibitions, a gallery gift shop, summer art camp for children, art-centric birthday parties, studio rentals, a Japanese garden, art and life enhancement lectures and more. It is open Monday-Thursday from 9:30am to 9pm; Friday from 9:30am to 5pm.; Saturday from 9am to 5pm; and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
About Columbia Association
Columbia Association (CA) is a nonprofit community services corporation that manages Columbia, Maryland, a planned community that is home to approximately 100,000 people and several thousand businesses — and was named the No. 1 small city to live in by Money Magazine in 2016. Additional information about CA is available at columbiaassociation.org.
