By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The plein air art competition sponsored by the Crestline Arts District, a weekend-long art experience throughout the community of Crestline, was declared a success by Crestline Arts District organizer Molly Collins. The theme of the art competition was “Capturing the Heart of Crestline.”
Over the weekend of activities, the artists chose locations throughout the community, setting up their easels and capturing their views of the Crestline community, from buildings and street scenes, to trees of the forest, to lake scenes and mountain activities.
While the artists were painting and throughout the town, there were musicians, some in locations such as Bizzyland, in Lake Gregory Village and Top Town, while others were wandering around town, playing music to entertain both those painting and those walking through the town that beautiful sunny day.
One of the artists painting their plein art entry.
By the end of Saturday many artists had submitted their canvases for the competition being judged at Molly’s Art Gallery, across from Rim Bowling Lanes in Lake Gregory Village. The wall of the gallery was covered with the artworks submitted for judging both by the experts and by the community for their favorite.
The winning painting was a watercolor by Bella Valdez with the image of looking at the action on the calm lake from a location next to the dam; in the background there are white Duffy boats floating in the lake and a lovely tree in the foreground. The judges believed it completely captured the “Heart of Crestline.” Valdez said she also received many very positive comments while she was on the shore of the lake painting that Saturday afternoon.
Coming in second was Lisa Jarrett with a multi-media acrylic picture of a large black raven sitting on an actual tree branch she found in the area. She admitted she was shocked to have sold the painting even before the competition was over. Another artist, Sean, also sold his artwork off the wall during the exhibition in the art gallery.
Crestline is becoming a place where art, music, community and creativity come together – and they want to involve everyone to become a part of it. Whether a person is a local resident, visitor, business owner, art lover, artist, musician, photographer or simply someone who loves seeing our mountain communities thrive, the Crestline Arts District invites everyone to become a part of the action.
Some of the sponsors supplying prizes were Dawn Lane’s Fengshui Healing, a two-hour photo session from Greg Gonzalez of G’s Elite Cleaning, Antwon hours Plein Art lesson plus several anonymous sponsors who supplied cash prizes.
For those who missed this plein art painting event, there are additional activities and events to come this fall. The Crestline Arts District is already looking ahead and planning more opportunities throughout the year to experience local art, live music, creative events and the incredible talent found right here in these mountains.
Crestline Arts plans to be involved in the Holidays in the Pines weekend holiday adventures in November and December, supplying music and activities again this year in cooperation with the Crestline Chamber of Commerce.
They offer each person in the community the opportunity to stay connected, share their talent, get involved or attend an event. By supporting local artists and businesses, it will help build Crestline into a destination for art, music, culture and community. Anyone may join the Crestline Arts District and be part of what’s growing. See their website: CrestlineArtsDistrict.org.
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