The Crystal Moll and Highlandtown Galleries will host the opening reception for the 12th annual Summer Plein Air Show on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a curated exhibition in both galleries, a demo, a paint-out and a wet paint sale.
“Plein air” is a French term for “in the open air,” and Baltimore has many nationally recognized plein air artists in the region. During some events, artists might gather for two to six days to paint regardless of the weather conditions. This exhibition comes on the heels of Paint It Ellicott City, Paint Annapolis, and Plein Air Easton — one of the most prestigious plein air competitions in the country.
This is the third year the opening reception will be hosted by The Crystal Moll and Highlandtown Galleries.
On Friday, Aug. 1 visitors and painters can stop by for a “Soft Opening Reception” and First Friday Art Walk from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
On Saturday, after painters have enjoyed the day painting plein air, they can bring their paintings to the gallery by 3 p.m., and at 3:30 p.m. there will be a demo by award-winning painter Lynn Mehta. A full-time artist, Mehta teaches, leads workshops, and mentors. Her work has been featured in public and private collections, represented by galleries, and showcased in national juried exhibitions.
Mehta holds Signature Membership status with the American Impressionist Society and the American Society of Marine Artists. Additionally, she is a juried artist in the Oil Painters of America, the Salmagundi Club, and the Washington Society of Landscape Painters.
“It is important to me that my paintings captivate the imagination both up close and from a distance,” Mehta said. “I draw inspiration from the world around me, finding beauty in the everyday and the extraordinary. Elements that spark my creativity include weathered farm buildings, old boats, the gesture of a figure, the vibrancy of flowers, expansive vistas, blue mountains, quiet rivers, and the crash of waves. To me, painting is a journey”
