For George Franz, president of
the Chadds Ford Historical Society, the big value of the winter Plein Air event is public relations.
There is also an historical connection to the society’s roots.
“What’s it worth? First of all,
for PR purposes it gets our name out in a time of year when there’s not much
else. It also reconnects us with our historic artistic heritage because when we
got started it was through art. That’s how we raised our money to begin with.
And we make a little money, not a whole lot, but we make some money, which
helps the budget. I just think it’s good PR. It’s a great community event.”
As a fund-raising event,
artists pay a $50 entrance fee and those who attend the first hour of an after
painting party pay $50 per couple. This gives them first crack at buying
paintings. They also get $25 off on a purchase. Other people who come later get
in for free, but some of the paintings are already gone. The Historical Society
gets 25 percent of the sale price. Buyers can use that 25 percent donation to
CFHS as a tax deduction, Franz said.
Plein air means painting in the open air and artists spend a day or
two in the greater Chadds Ford area, painting scenes of their choosing.
This was the second time Mark
Coates took part in the Chadds Ford event. He said plein air affords “a sense of place, being in one place for a day
or two and taking in all that goes on around you…In winter the light is
different. You can deal with colors other than green.”
Rick Philips of Claymont was
involved for the first time. He was asked what it’s like to be painting outside
in the winter.
“If the painting comes out,
[the weather is] perfect.
Thirty painters took part in
this year’s event on Saturday, Feb. 4
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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I bought a lovely painting of the Smith Bridge! There are still painitings available at the Historical Society.
Beth Alois, PRF Chadds Ford