CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — The Douglas Land Conservancy (DLC) is hosting 25 artists from around the country to paint outdoors at public and private open spaces for a week in Douglas County.
The event is called "Capturing the Beauty of Open Land” and at the end of the week, the conservancy will display and sell what the artists have created.
“DLC has been around for 30 years, our mission is to protect open space within this region of Colorado,” said Douglas Land Conservancy Executive Director Patti Hostetler. “It’s really exciting to have artists that are interested in coming to Colorado and capture the beauty of open space.”
Plein air -- literally meaning “open air" -- was developed among French impressionists like Monet, Pissarro, and Renoir. Developed in the mid-19th century, plein air painting is done outdoors and represents an artists’ direct response to the scene in front of them.
“This is becoming an event where artists are really wanting to juried in and have the opportunity paint on protected open spaces where no other people can go,” Hostetler said. “Because they’re privately protected because of habitat, scenic views or agricultural operations.”
Douglas Land Conservancy is a non-partisan, non-profit land trust dedicated to the protection and conservation of about 760 acres of habitat and open space of Douglas County as well as other areas within the central Front Range. The group said the event gives the artists an opportunity to come and paint where no one else can.
“We figure most people have pictures or paintings on their walls,” Hostetler said. “So why not connect the art community with a land conservancy that conserves these open spaces that provide these beautiful views.”
“It’s a blessing,” said Franktown artist Karen Button. “It gives me time to be who I am and really enjoy the magnificence that surrounds us.”
“To get to go to places that are not usually open to you….it’s really very special,” added Silverthorne artist Marianna Duford. “You get to see things and capture moments that you wouldn’t ordinarily see.”
DLC said they will have over 200 paintings that are created throughout the week. The pieces will be displayed and for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefiting their organization.
“It gives the public the opportunity to have something on canvas that is right from their own backyards knowing that it’s protected by our organization and won’t ever change,” Hostetler said.
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