Organizers hope to move Barrington plein air competition beyond downtown

Barrington cultural leaders are hoping to have some artists working beyond the village's downtown later this year for the community's third plein air event, set for Oct. 12.

Plein air is a French expression referring to art that is created outdoors with the subject in full view. Last year, plein air artists worked in downtown Barrington to paint some well-known locations.

Officials hope to attract up to 20 plein air artists this year, with $500 going to the winner, $300 for second place and $200 for third place.

Thomas Balsamo, a Barrington Cultural Commission member who's helping organize this year's competition, said he'd like to see the artists go beyond downtown and work around historic district houses.

"That would be kind of a cool thing, I think, for the village," Balsamo said.

At a recent meeting, cultural commission members agreed legal research should be done to make sure there are no problems with the artists on public sidewalks creating works of private homes. Balsamo said he'd expect asking owners if they mind artists outside their homes.

Balsamo said there also is consideration of allowing the artists to start their works ahead of the Oct. 12 event, as is done in other plein air competitions. He said the competitors would be required to work on the event day as well.

Artists will receive locations on where to work in Barrington. Commission member David Nelson said organizers should make sure Memorial Park off Hough Street is on the list.

"There's 40,000 cars that go by there every day," Nelson said.

Although relatively new to Barrington, Schaumburg has hosted a plein air competition for nine years. This year's Schaumburg event ran from April 26 to May 10, with the artists directed to work at any time on those days.

Schaumburg has a two-week window for the artists in an effort to accommodate schedules and allow for poor weather.