many of them from our local creative districts, spread across the greater Omaha metro, setting up easels in parks, neighborhoods, streets, historic places, and public spaces.
They painted the landscapes and cityscapes in front of them, imbued with the experiences and talents within them, creating lasting works of art in real time, in the public sphere.
They painted through changing light, changing weather, curious passersby, and all the beautiful unpredictability that comes with making art outdoors.
And then, on Saturday, we saw it all come together.
People from all over came out to experience the exhibition, celebrate the artists, and see some of the places we pass every day through a wide variety of artists' eyes.
Congratulations to all of our award winners, and congratulations to every artist who participated. The quality, variety, and sheer volume of work created during this first festival exceeded anything we could have hoped for.
But the success of Heartland Plein Air was bigger than the paintings.
It was artists demonstrating their processes in public.
It was people showing up to witness this art being formed.
It was conversations between artists and strangers.
It was collectors discovering new artists and new works.
It was children learning a new love of art through plein air painting with the artists.
It was communities across Douglas and Sarpy Counties becoming subjects on the canvas.
That is exactly what we hoped this festival could become.
Thank you to our artists, volunteers, sponsors, host locations, educators, collectors, community partners, and everyone who came out to participate in this festival.
Here are a few of Saturday's moments from an unforgettable first chapter of the Heartland Plein Air Festival.
We'll see you next September."
If you weren't able to attend the festival, click HERE to see the online show and sale of the remaining paintings available. And several are at my galler if you'd like to see them in person! Be sure to follow us on social media - Facebook: Ralston Hinge Creative District and Instagram @ralstoncreativedistrict - and check out our posts from the week and those to come over the next few weeks! You can also sign up for the Creative District's email newsletter HERE.
