New plein air art festival debuts in Geneva

A touch of France comes to Geneva this weekend as local artists pay homage to its sister city, Croissy-sur-Seine.

The Greater Geneva Art Guild will celebrate spring with its new event, Festival of Art, set for Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, in downtown Geneva.

Art guild members will paint outdoors all day Friday at various locations around downtown Geneva, and on Saturday will host an open air market and art exhibition around the Old Kane County Courthouse on Third Street from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Works featured in the exhibition include paintings, pottery and jewelry.

A long-running biennial spring festival of art in Croissy-sur-Seine was the inspiration for this new Geneva art event, said art guild President Lorraine Ochsner.

Fête de la Grenouillère includes painting competitions, games, a country breakfast, music, a Monet exhibition and rowing demonstrations on the Seine River.

"That area is where Monet and Renoir came to paint side by side on the island of La Grenouillère during the summer of 1869," Ochsner said. "They gave birth to masterpieces, icons of the impressionist movement."

The goal of this event is to make the public aware that the Geneva area's natural charm and beauty has attracted outstanding artistic talent, she added.

Out in the air

Plein air is a term derived from the French phrase en plein air, which literally means "in the open air," said Jan Schmuckal, art guild member and owner of Gallery 28 in Geneva.

"It's a familiar concept today, but in the late 1800s when the impressionists ventured out of their studios into nature to investigate and capture the effects of sunlight and different times of days on a subject, it was quite revolutionary," she noted.

On Friday art guild members will demonstrate the plein air technique, drawing their inspiration from nature scenes around Third and State streets, as well as along the Fox River and in Island Park. Because artists are working in an uncontrolled environment - nature - anything can happen.

Schmuckal, who has been plein air painting periodically since the early 1990s, enjoys the challenges presented in the open air.

"Light changing the shadow shapes of what you are painting; people, animals or vehicles moving; clouds moving, the sky changing color, the sun creating glare on your painting or your palette, bugs, varmints, wind, dust, falling leaves, snow and sunburn, to name a few."

While some plein air artists are deep in concentration, others welcome conversation - just ask first, Schmuckal noted.

"Just don't walk up behind them and scare them."

And if visitors like the painting in progress, they can make an offer, she added.

"Buying 'off the easel' is always welcome. Don't be afraid of a wet painting - it will dry!"

A group of artists plein air painting the same subject reveals much about subjectivity and viewpoint, Schmuckal added.

"It is very interesting - a big group of artists can gather around one subject and each one of their paintings will look vastly different from each other."

The paintings they create on Friday will be sold at the art exhibition on Saturday.

"Visitors can take home a piece of Geneva," Ochsner said.

In nature

The festival also celebrates spring. Whether indoors or outdoors, many art guild members are influenced by a natural setting.

"Nature is a doorway for an artist to daydream," said art guild member Lynette Dubovik. "Daydreams lead to creative thoughts and spur one into action. Without nature, art is not possible."

Dubovik, who works in oils, acrylics, pastels and mixed medium, creates her best work outside.

"I think today many of us are always plugged in and distracted by the busy lives we lead. It's easy to forget that we don't just live on the earth but we live with the earth. When I pay attention to the small details in nature, it grounds me and humbles me to be a part of something much larger than myself," she said.

The connection between art and nature is vital, Ochsner believes.

"Art reflects nature in its many media, from the Dutch masters to impressionists; nature is always an inspiration for me. I love to view nature through the lenses of each artist."

Art on display

On Saturday, art guild members will host an art exhibition and sale on the courthouse lawn and on Campbell Street, between Third and Fourth streets, creating an open air French market with music and artists demonstrating their talents.

"While artists are out creating around town, people should feel free to engage with them," Dubovik said.

"Ask questions about the medium they are working in, what inspires them, why they choose the colors, textures and different brushes," she said. "This is a unique experience for both the art lover as well as the artist. Many art shows have tents filled with art, but the viewer doesn't get to experience the artwork being created. It's a great opportunity to learn a little more about the process of each artist."

Additionally, this interaction gives artists, who mostly work alone, in the studio, a chance to interact and spark creativity.

"It is great fun to watch art develop," Ochsner said. "Talk to the artists, enjoy meeting the people who walk around Geneva with paint and/or clay on the clothes - and sometimes in their hair - every day."

If you go

What: Greater Geneva Art Guild Festival of Art

When: Artists plein air painting all day Friday, May 29; art exhibition and sale 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30

Location: Friday plein air painting at various Geneva locations; Saturday art exhibition around the Old Kane County Courthouse on Third Street between James and Campbell streets and on Campbell between Third and Fourth streets

Cost: Free

Details: <a href="http://www.genevaartguild.com">www.genevaartguild.com</a>