Shorewood 3-Day Outdoor Art Festival Coming This Fall

Shorewood will transform into one big easel this fall as the village's first plein air festival gets underway.

The three-day art festival — Sept. 19 through 21 — is an interactive juried event featuring 50 professional artists who will paint outdoors throughout Shorewood. The artwork will then be placed on sale during an art show on Sept. 21 at the Village Center. 

Applications for artists interested in participating can be found at pleinairshorewood.com. The deadline to apply is July 15. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by Aug. 1.

“Plein air” is French for "the open air" and is used to describe the practice of painting outdoors. The State of Wisconsin is the leader in the nation with the most plein art events taking place each year, and Shorewood will join the ranks of other plein art events held statewide.

Shorewood plein air artist James Hempel said "As artists, we will be exploring the entire landscape of Shorewood, seeking to capture the most beautiful, interesting and evocative views, from the stony beaches of Lake Michigan to neighborhoods of bungalows and quaint storefronts, to the wooded river park land. Because we create our work on the spot, out in public, I believe plein air is the perfect bridge to bring art to the community.” 

Each day of the event will include different events aimed at allowing festival-goers to meet and greet with plein air artists. On Sept. 19, residents and guests can meet the artists at a dinner reception at Hubbard Park Lodge. And on Sept. 20, artists will participate in a happy hour social at one of Shorewood’s restaurants (location to be announced).

Shorewood's Public Art Committee is presenting Plein Air Shorewood and the Shorewood Foundation is the event's major sponsor. 

For more information about “Plein Air Shorewood,” e-mail info@pleinairshorewood.com or visit pleinairshorewood.com.