Shadows-on-the-Teche Plein Air Competition

The Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced that thirty artists have been selected for the inaugural Shadows-on-the-Teche Plein Air Competition scheduled for April 11-18, 2015.

The list includes artists from across the state, one from Minnesota, and one from Ukraine (though currently living in New Orleans). In alphabetical order, the artists are Richard Abraham, Hilari Baranco, Ben Bensen, Denise Broussard, Chuck Broussard, Susan Clark, Ronnie Collins, Ronald Cutrera, Tony Cutrera, Darnelle Delcambre, Claude Ellender, Oksana Fogg, Bob Graham, Carol Hallock, Peggy Hesse, Ken Hopel, Kay Jeansonne, Harold Letz, Joyce Linde, Kaori Maeyama, Margaret Melancon, Renee Mitchell, Mary Monk, Louis Morales, Rock Perkins, Maria Randolph, Ann Sutton, Garth Swanson, Peg Usner and Gwen Voorhies.

All thirty artists will be coming to New Iberia, La. to the Shadows Visitor Center, 320 E. Main St., on April 11 to have their blank canvases marked with the official Shadows Plein Air dated stamp before heading out into the town and surrounding area to paint. They can paint as many pictures as they like from Saturday to Thursday, when they will submit their two best works to be judged by New Orleans-based plein air artist and instructor Phil Sandusky.
Visitors to the Shadows during the week may view the artists in action (regular admission fee to the grounds applies). "According to one of the Shadows-on-the-Teche Plein Air committee members, one criteria of this style of painting is the ability to work quickly," said Catherine Schramm, curator of education at the Shadows. "The artists will not be able to chat with visitors during the competition. However, it should be an interesting process to observe."

The works turned in for judging will be exhibited at Clementine Restaurant in New Iberia for the gala/auction on Sat., April 18 where the competition winners will be announced and prizes awarded. These same paintings will be sold by live and silent auction with Scott Angelle serving as guest auctioneer. Tickets for the Plein Air Gala/Auction are $50 per person and are available at the Shadows Visitor Center.

In addition to the competition and the gala/auction, on Thurs., April 16, Sandusky will provide a free plein air painting demonstration for all artists which is open to the public. On Fri., April 17, any and all interested artists are invited to participate in a free "Paint Out" in the Shadows Gardens from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Shadows encourage artists of all ages to come take part in this activity. Works produced at the Paint Out will be judged, awarded ribbons and put on display at the Shadows Visitor Center.

The phrase plein air describes art created in the open air, a process much different from producing canvases in the studio. Artists must deal with shifting angles and tones of light as well as adverse weather conditions.

"This is a first for us, but it has the potential to develop into a good event for the community and the parish," said Pat Kahle, the Shadows's director.

For more information, or gala tickets, call 337-369-6446, email shadows@shadowsontheteche.org or visit ShadowsOnTheTeche.org. Any funds raised from this event will allow Shadows to offer annual art classes in memory of Weeks Hall.