The Utah Museum of Fine Art may be closed, but it certainly refuses to be forgotten.
On Thursday, May 26, the museum’s ARTLandish series continues with its Plein Air Painting in Utah event. The event will involve a panel of three artists who make use of plein air, which means “open air” in French, painting in their work. Patricia Kimball, Hadley Ramptom and Michael Workman will all contribute to this topic, making sure to emphasize its relevance within Utah. Since Utah is comprised of beautiful terrain, with its looming mountain ranges and variety of land formations to rest in the deep valleys like Salt Lake City, plein air painting could not be more relevant for the state.
This latest ARTLandish installment comes on the heels of trips to the Sun Tunnels, in Utah’s Great Basin Desert, and the Spiral Jetty by the Great Salt Lake, as well as a similar panel on combining environmentalism with art, specifically land art. These events are meant to engage the community in the beauty of Utah that surrounds them while simultaneously teaching community members how to better appreciate and care for that beauty.
Though plein air painting may seem like more of an exercise in spontaneity, it is actually an established tradition. There are many things to consider when painting outdoor landscapes, such as weather conditions, lighting and supplies. Thursday’s event provides a great opportunity for community members to ask any questions they may have about the practice, and given the beautiful weather Utah typically has throughout summer, it will be a good way for students and others to experiment with the art form.
Visit the Gould Auditorium within the J. Willard Marriott Library at 7 p.m. on May 26 for your chance to learn more about the art form that is plein air painting and capture the sides of Utah you know best. It doesn’t matter if someone else has already painted something similar; your perspective will provide something new enough for it to count as a novel contribution.
Be sure to stay updated on the ARTLandish series throughout UMFA’s renovations period. Even with UMFA closed, there is plenty of art to take advantage of, and the majority of it is still easily accessible.
@casey_koldewyn