The Outdoor Beauty and History of Northville Captured on Canvas

The artistic movement of plein air painting was launched in 19th-century France when artists set up easels outside to paint directly from nature. This summer the practice is flourishing especially in Michigan where arts organizations and groups have invited artists to come together for “paint out” excursions almost every weekend. Last month, the Northville Art House invited artists to capture the city of Northville en plein air, a French phrase meaning "in the open air.” From July 22 – 24, twenty-six artists joined the City of Northville: Plein Air Paint Out, painting historic buildings, intriguing landmarks, and scenic parks around town. Several residents granted permission to artists to paint their home and gardens and various businesses including Corriveau Law, KB Jewelers, Stampeddler Plus, and New Hope Center for Grief Support, supported the event.

The participating artists from Northville and surrounding Metro Detroit communities included Sandra Ackerman, Nellie Adawi, Rana Awdish, Barbara Baker, Candace Brancik, Pat Cheal, Mary Beth Damiano, Kevin Grow, Sara Hadley, Heiner Hertling, Jim Karell, Janet Kohler, Janisse Lahti Larsson, Brant MacLean, John Nagridge, Richard Onica, Tamera Ovall, Saritha Palakonda, Linda Pelowski, Robert Perrish, Susan Perrish, Tim Porter, James Rodriguez, Pam Siegfried, Cornelis vanSpronsen, and John Vassallo.

Nearly 70 artworks from the Paint Out can be viewed now through August 20 in the City of Northville: Plein Air Exhibition at the Art House located at 215 W. Cady. Visitors will be treated to a colorful display of oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings created over one weekend, often in a single day and within a few hours. The artwork reveals scenes of Downtown Northville, Town Square, Mill Race Village, Fish Hatchery Park, Water Wheel Centre, Middle Rouge River, Parmenter's Cider Mill, Garage Grill & Fuel Bar, and more. The Northville Gallery, also depicted, sponsored the exhibition as well as juried the awards competition.

The award-winning artworks and artists were announced at the July 30, Live @ 5 reception at the Art House with 1st place given to Janisse Lahti Larsson of Northville for Town Square Evening, 2nd place to Heiner C. Hertling of Howell for Last Call, 3rd place to Candace Brancik of Milford for Mill Race Church, 4th place to Richard Onica of Farmington Hills for Pleasantville, and Honorable Mentions to Linda Pelowski of Farmington Hills for Mill Race Village - The Lake, Janet Kohler of Whitmore Lake for Down on Main Street, and Pat Cheal of Brighton for Swan Harbor.

The City of Northville: Plein Air Exhibition presents visitors, particularly residents of Northville, with a chance to look at the city in an exciting new light. Each artist tells an expressive story capturing both the familiar and the hidden. The community is encouraged to visit the Art House to discover, to connect, and to fall in love with these extraordinary paintings that capture the outdoor beauty and history of Northville before the exhibition closes on August 20.